SAN ANTONIO VS. LOS ANGELES PHILADELPHIA VS. MILWAUKEE

Saturday, June 2 Sixers have edge, but it's slight By Dr. Jack Ramsay Special to ESPN.com The home-court advantage gives the Philadelphia 76ers the edge going into Game 7 Sunday at First Union Center. And despite being blown out for most of Game 6 in Milwaukee, the 76ers haven't lost any confidence. Ray Allen and Allen Iverson meet again -- this time in Game 7. Allen Iverson was clapping his hands as he walked off the court at the Bradley Center on Friday night. The 76ers had to be encouraged that they rallied from a 31-point deficit in the second half to close within 11 points of the Bucks by the end of the game. But for the 76ers to win Game 7 and advance to the NBA Finals, they have to control tempo better than they did in Game 6. The 76ers excel in an evenly paced game, not having to rely on long 3-point attempts to make a comeback. Along with solid defense, rebounding and offensive execution at a more controlled pace, they need it to be an 80- to 90-point game. Philadelphia never got untracked offensively in Game 6 until the end of the third period and ended up scoring an uncharacteristically high 68 second-half points. The Bucks defended well early in the game, limiting the 76ers to only 31 first-half points and not giving them any good shots. They forced Iverson to shoot too quickly. Although Ray Allen has done nice defensive work against Iverson, the Bucks' team defense has had a greater effect. When Iverson put the ball on the floor, the Bucks sent a second defender his way. The Bucks rotated well to open shooters, rebounded effectively and got into a fast-break tempo that favors their style of play. Scott Williams was a factor early in the game, scoring 10 points in the first period. Then Allen got his offensive game going in a big way, hitting several big shots in a 41-point performance. In order for the Bucks to win Game 7, they need to dominate the way they did in Game 6. They must feed off Philadelphia's turnovers and get into the open court with Allen, Sam Cassell, Tim Thomas and Glenn Robinson, who are all good in the transition game. If fast-break opportunities are few, they need enough patience to work their shooters off screens. However, I expect the 76ers to play a sound defensive game and to be more patient offensively. If not, more quick shots will lead to more Milwaukee fast breaks. It's dangerous for Iverson to think he has to score every time and has to make 3-pointers. Iverson must play more under control. Larry Brown said he doesn't mind Iverson taking 30 shots, as long as they are 30 good shots. When Iverson is just catching and shooting or dancing with the ball and taking an escape dribble to shoot, that isn't good enough for the 76ers to win. Everybody has to contribute, especially Aaron McKie. If Iverson is penetrating rather than shooting from the perimeter, he gets others involved in the offense. In Game 6, he did that in the third and fourth periods. He made 3-pointers, but he also penetrated for scores, got to the foul line and had assists to other players, sometimes for dunks. Iverson may carry the 76ers to the NBA Finals. But if the Bucks can replicate the defense they played in the first half of Game 6, get into an open-court, uptempo game and rebound on the defensive end, they will win -- even in Philadelphia. Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay is a game analyst for ESPN Radio and a regular contributor to ESPN.com. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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