Bucks-76ers Preview

By MATT BECKER
Posted Jan 15 2012 11:23PM

The Philadelphia 76ers are off to their best start in more than a decade thanks to a perfect record at the Wells Fargo Center.

That mark doesn't seem to be in much danger with a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 76ers look to improve to 6-0 at home Monday afternoon against the Bucks, who are trying to avoid opening a season with eight straight road losses for the first time in 35 years.

Philadelphia (9-3), off to its best start since opening 10-0 in 2000-01 - the season of its last NBA finals appearance - is winning with defense, unselfish play and its ability to protect the ball.

The Sixers, who are averaging an NBA-low 12.5 turnovers, matched a season best with eight turnovers in Saturday's 103-90 win over Washington to sweep a home-and-home set. Louis Williams had a team-best 24 points while Andre Iguodala added 23 for Philadelphia, which has seven players with scoring averages in double digits.

"We don't have a superstar," said Iguodala, who is averaging 14.3 points. "So we don't get those foul calls, the whistles as much as the teams that do have one. So we have to do the little things right."

The Sixers are also doing plenty right on the defensive end. They lead the NBA in field-goal percentage (40.1) allowed and rank second in scoring defense (86.2 ppg).

Philadelphia's defense has been particularly outstanding at the Wells Fargo Center, where it has won its first five home games by an average of 25.2 points. The Sixers are limiting visitors to 79.0 points per game, 37.6 percent shooting overall and 18.3 percent from 3-point range.

None of that bodes well for Milwaukee (4-7), which has dropped six of its last seven in Philadelphia including both visits last season as the teams split their four-game overall series.

Making matters worse for the Bucks, who are undefeated at home, is the fact they're an NBA-worst 0-7 on the road.

"We've been very energetic at home, but we board the plane and we're half-asleep out there," coach Scott Skiles said after Friday's 102-76 loss in Dallas.

The offense can't seem to get in gear away from Milwaukee, averaging 87.0 points on 39.9 percent shooting. The Bucks, who are 0-7 on the road for the first time since 2004, haven't opened a season with eight straight road losses since dropping their first 16 in 1976-77.

"We've got to get a least one road win. Geez." said Brandon Jennings, who is averaging a team-best 18.7 points.

Jennings has been a prime offender on the road. He's averaging 22.0 points on 54.4 percent shooting at the Bradley Center, versus 16.9 points per game on 39.5 percent shooting away from Milwaukee.

The struggling Bucks could receive a lift from Andrew Bogut, who is expected to play after sitting out against the Mavericks.

The seven-foot center, averaging 13.5 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds, failed a pregame check for concussion symptoms after hitting the back of his head on the floor during Thursday's victory over Detroit.

Bogut's presence on the court usually indicates good things for the Bucks, who are 4-2 when he plays but have lost all five games he has missed.

76ers win 3rd straight, beat Bucks 94-82

By DAN GELSTON
Posted Jan 17 2012 1:27AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Without a true superstar, the Philadelphia 76ers are keeping their super start going.

Up ahead, first place in the East.

Jrue Holiday scored a season-high 24 points and Andre Iguodala had 21 to help the 76ers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 94-82 on Monday and remain unbeaten at home.

Everything is going right for the Sixers this season. They've won three straight, nine of 10 overall and already hold a four-game lead over the second-place New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division. At home, the Sixers are 6-0.

Philadelphia trails Chicago by one game for first place in the Eastern Conference.

Yes, it's early. But for a franchise that hasn't won a playoff series since 2003, hasn't had a winning record since 2005, and struggled to win fans as much as games for most of the last decade, it's a sign that brighter days are finally ahead for Philadelphia's fourth-most popular team.

"I'm down to win all of them," a smiling Holiday said. "All the home games, away games. We can go undefeated from here on out. I'm cool with that."

The good vibes also extend off the court.

Iguodala went 9 of 14 from the floor hours after he was chosen as part of the 20-player men's Olympic basketball pool. Known as a lockdown defender, he surprised Tobias Harris with a block from behind late in the third.

Iguodala, the ninth overall pick of the 2004 draft, has spent all nine seasons with the Sixers. He was the go-to defensive stopper for the U.S. team that won gold in the 2010 world championships.

"I think Dre's got a great chance if he stays healthy," coach Doug Collins said. "He's gotten off to a great start for us this year."

All the Sixers have played a role.

Spencer Hawes finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Lou Williams scored 17 points. The Sixers won without reserve guard Evan Turner, who sat out with a right quad contusion.

Their top reserve, Williams entered as the Sixers' leading scorer at 16.1 points per game. Six other players average double-digit scoring, proving they don't need a superstar to make them contenders in the East, just team-oriented basketball.

Collins calls the Sixers perhaps the most unselfish team he's coached in all his years in basketball.

Check out the assist totals that go along with the points: Williams had six, Holiday five and Iguodala four.

"We love making the extra pass and seeing the next guy get the credit as much as doing it ourselves," Hawes said. "Any time you can get guys to buy into that, it's a dangerous combination."

Hawes, their 7-foot-1 center, stunned everyone in the third when he nailed a pair of 3-pointers after missing his previous four attempts on the season. His first one gave the Sixers a 67-54 lead, then he stepped back to end the quarter to make his second straight for a 76-62 lead.

It was that kind of game.

"We have an atmosphere that's been created, a winning atmosphere," Hawes said.

Andrew Bogut returned from concussion-like symptoms to lead the Bucks with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Jennings (18.7 ppg) was limited to seven points and missed eight of 11 attempts and was outplayed by Holiday. With Jennings struggling to get going, the Bucks fell to 0-8 on the road.

"It's not hard finding a guy to play well," coach Scott Skiles said. "We've got to find multiple guys to play well."

The Sixers' defense and some clutch shooting thwarted Milwaukee's comeback.

While he's carved a reputation as a stout man-to-man defender, Iguodala bested Harris late in the third. Stephen Jackson made a nice dish to Harris as he cut down the lane, but Iguodala was there to swat the ball against the backboard with his left hand.

Williams cut off a late Bucks' surge with a 3-pointer that stretched the lead to 83-71.

The Sixers made 11 of 23 3s. With a hand in the lane, they forced the Bucks to shoot a step or two beyond their comfort range and into 3 of 14 3-point shooting.

One weak point for the Sixers had been slow starts, but they made 12 of 19 shots in the first quarter and rolled to an early 13 point lead.

"They're a very underrated team," Bogut said. "They move the ball well, they're very well coached and they showed it today."

NOTES: The Sixers are off to their best home start since opening 10-0 in 2002-03. ... The Sixers didn't win their 10th game last season until the 25th game (10-15). ... The Sixers won six games at home by holding all teams under 90 points.

Notebook: 76ers 94, Bucks 82

By Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Monday January 16, 2012 5:29PM

THE FACTS: Jrue Holiday scored 24 points, Andre Iguodala contributed 21 points and Lou Williams had 17 points off the bench to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 94-82 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks Monday at the Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers broke open a close game in the third quarter and cruised to their sixth consecutive win at home. They also improved to 10-3.

Andrew Bogut returned from a concussion to post a double-double (20 points, 11 rebounds) for the Bucks. Tobias Harris also had 12 points for Milwaukee, which fell to 4-8 and a league-worst 0-8 on the road.

QUOTABLE: "I thought it was his best game. I thought it was his liveliest game on both ends of the floor."
-- Sixers coach Doug Collins, on Holiday.

THE STAT: The Sixers connected on 11-of-23 shots from 3-point territory. Five different players had at least one trey.

TURNING POINT: The Sixers turned a four-point halftime lead into a 14-point advantage after the third quarter. How? Spencer Hawes had no points and halftime and 11 in the third. All season, the Sixers have been terrific at extending their lead in the third. Hawes (11 points, 10 rebounds) gave them a spark on this day.

HOT: Iguodala was 9-of-14 from the field and looked confident in all aspects of his game.

NOT: Stephen Jackson missed nine of his 12 shots and never got going on the offensive end.

QUOTABLE II: "Everything we do defensively works to our advantage on the offensive end. It's all about defense for this team."
-- Holiday.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Holiday ignited the Sixers from the start and played a solid all-around game on both ends of the court. In addition to 24 points, Holiday contributed five assists, five steals and three rebounds.

INSIDE THE ARENA: For an afternoon matinee in honor of MLK Day, there was a huge crowd of 17,281 at the Wells Fargo Center. Sixers owner Joshua Harris and CEO Adam Aron were in attendance.

QUOTABLE III: "Basically, they broke us down one-on-one. Our defense has got to be better."
-- Bogut.

GOOD MOVE: The Sixers defended the perimeter very well and didn't allow the Bucks to hurt them from beyond the arc. While Bogut had his chances in the low post, the Sixers' defense extended further out and denied almost every long-range shot.

BAD MOVE: The Bucks forced too many shots, especially Jackson. The Bucks could have moved the ball inside and out more instead of settling for difficult jumpers.

ROOKIE WATCH: Milwaukee forward Jon Leuer started and had 11 points and three rebounds. Harris scored 12 points and added three rebounds while guard Darington Hobson was scoreless in two-plus minutes. Sixers forwards Nikola Vucevic and Lavoy Allen didn't play.

NOTABLE: Sixers guard Evan Turner was a late scratch with a right quad contusion. Turner suffered the injury in Saturday's victory at Washington. ... The Sixers committed just nine turnovers against the Bucks after having only eight at Washington Saturday night. They are 9-0 this season with 12 or fewer turnovers. ... Philadelphia has held the opposition to below 90 points in all six home games this season. ... The Bucks had 16 assists, but no player had more than four. Bogut and Jackson had four each.

NEXT: For the Bucks, Tuesday vs. Denver, Friday @ New York, Sunday @ Miami. For the Sixers, Wednesday vs. Denver, Friday vs. Atlanta, Saturday @ Miami.

• Bucks: Dunleavy, Mbah a Moute
• 76ers: --

• Bucks: Jackson
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 11
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #49 Tom Washington, #54 Nick Buchert, #33 Zach Zarba
• Attendance: 17281
• Duration: 1:58