The Philadelphia 76ers are now facing an insurmountable deficit, being down 3-0 to the Miami Heat. The chances of them winning four games in a row are slimmer than the chances of no more NFL players getting in trouble during the lockout. Nevertheless there are a few things to keep your eye on during Game 4.
1. Whether or not the Sixers get swept by the Heat is irrelevant, what’s important is how it happens. Philly is clearly outmatched and doesn’t have enough man power to stop the “Heatles”, so the outcome of the series is a forgone conclusion. In spite of that, it’s extremely important for them to fight to the very end. It’s important that the younger players on the team show the fans that they’re a team of hard workers that never gives up. Basically in a nutshell they need to show in Game 4 that they embody all the characteristics that Rocky possessed.
2. Guys like Jrue Holiday and Thaddeus Young need to show why the fans should be excited about their growth and potential. Holiday has been playing well all season and has shown signs of possibly becoming a star in the near future. It would serve him well to end the season on a high note and showcase his game. The point guard position is probably as stocked as it has been in the last 20 years and Holiday has the potential to become a premier PG in the NBA. He must show that during Game 4.
Young on the other hand needs to justify whatever contract he receives during the off-season. He had a great Game 1 of this series, but the second and third games were nothing to write home about. He needs to bounce back in Game 4, so that he can go into the off season on a positive vibe. Who knows, maybe if he plays like he did in Game 1, that will be enough to make him train harder and improve tremendously over the summer.
3. The Sixers need to make themselves attractive during the remaining games. In today’s NBA, it’s extremely hard for teams to get out 
of salary cap purgatory. However nobody knows what will happen if and when the owners and players reach an agreement. If they show they’re a team on the rise during the rest of the playoffs, they may get lucky the next time a big name free agent is available.
The 2010-11 NBA season has been an up and down ride for the Sixers. Unfortunately for them and their fans it will come to an end on Easter Sunday. Game 4 will probably look very similar to Game 2. Look for the Heat to be in control midway through the first quarter. No matter what happens, at least it was fun for a few months.
SWEEP! This games over.