Tonight's Sixers-Heat Matchup

TONIGHT'S MATCHUP

When the 76ers played their first game with Doug Collins as their head coach last season, the Wells Fargo Center was full. Collins said he looked around and knew the crowd was there to see the visiting Miami Heat. When the Sixers hosted the Heat in Game 3 of last year's first-round playoff series, the home house was again packed. Collins said that time, he knew the crowd was there for his team.

The WFC will be packed again tonight when the Miami Heat visits, and Collins can be certain the fans will be there to see his 16-6 club battle against the Heat, also 16-6. Miami did beat the Sixers down in South Beach 3 weeks ago, 113-92. Both teams were shorthanded, as the Heat was without Dwyane Wade and the Sixers without Spencer Hawes. It was a tight game in the third quarter until backup center Nikola Vucevic went down for the Sixers; then "the avalanche started," Collins said.

The Heat is at full strength while the Sixers are still without Hawes. Here is a breakdown of what may be the biggest regular-season professional game in this city in a long time.

What the Sixers must do: It really is a tall order to beat the Heat for the Sixers because the matchup really isn't good for them. But Thaddeus Young does present problems for the Heat, and he was the majority of the Heat's defensive focus in the playoffs last year. If Miami is going to concentrate on stopping Young, this would be a great time for Evan Turner and Lou Williams to pick up the slack. Andre Iguodala (covering LeBron James) and Jrue Holiday (probably Wade) will have their hands full defensively,and the offense may have to come from others. The big-man trio of Tony Battie, Lavoy Allen and Nikola Vucevic will have to win the battle inside.

What the Heat must do: If the Sixers are going to win this game, they will probably do it by getting out on the break. If Miami is making shots, that negates the fastbreak for the Sixers. There are times against the Sixers when James and Wade appear to settle for jump shots. When that happens, the Sixers can usually hang tight. When either one of those guys decides to power dribble to the basket, good things happen for Miami. They either score, get to the foul line or hit an open Chris Bosh, who is automatic from 12 to 18 feet.

Key to the game: Keep an eye on Holiday. If his game is tight - few turnovers, good decisions, no forced shots - the Sixers will be in the game. If he gets careless for any amount of extended time, a Miami run could quickly follow.

Player to watch: I'm thinking this is an Evan Turner game. The Heat will still look to shut down Young. If Turner can get himself to the rim consistently, he could be the deciding factor.

- Bob Cooney