Dr. Jack's Breakdown: 76ers-Hornets
By Dr. Jack Ramsay
Special to ESPN.com
No. 5 76ers (49-33) vs. No. 4 Hornets (49-33)
 Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay provides analysis for ESPN on SportsCenter and NBA Today. Here he breaks down the playoffs for ESPN.com. The color analyst for the Heat, Ramsay's impressive résumé includes making the playoffs in 16 of his 20 seasons as coach and winning an NBA title with Portland in 1977.
Throughout the 2000 playoffs, Dr. Jack will break down each series from the backcourts to intanglibles. Look for his analysis from the first round all the way through to the NBA Finals.
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BACKCOURT
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EDGE
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| Despite Allen Iverson's explosiveness and ability to create his own shot, Eddie Jones can defend Iverson and bother him. Plus, Jones will be a difficult matchup with his offensive game. David Wesley, another good defender, can disrupt Eric Snow and keep him from being a playmaker.
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FRONTCOURT
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EDGE
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| With Theo Ratliff, George Lynch and Tyrone Hill, the Sixers have good answers for the Hornets' big front line of Anthony Mason, Derrick Coleman and Elden Campbell. I don't think that trio will bother the Sixers, even though they have given teams a lot of problems. Ratliff has emerged as a good player who can score inside, block shots and intimidate. Lynch and Hill are solid defenders, and Matt Geiger is tough off the bench.
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BENCH
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EDGE
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| The 76ers have a big bench advantage with Toni Kukoc being the key player to go with Geiger and Aaron McKie. Larry Brown uses a lot of players, and they all play well, whereas Charlotte counts two rookies, Baron Davis and Eddie Robinson, among their reserves. Their first postseason experience will more than likely be a tough one.
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INTANGIBLES
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EDGE
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| Losing the home-court advantage will be good for Philadelphia. It will make the Sixers realize they have to really play to win the series.
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PREDICTION
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| Sixers in five. Even though they don't have the home-court edge, the 76ers will win because of their big-man defense. Also, Iverson is a fierce competitor who will make big-game plays.
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