Bobcats-76ers Preview

By MATT BECKER
Posted Jan 26 2012 3:56PM

Strong defense keyed the Philadelphia 76ers' fast start, but lately they've had some trouble slowing down opponents.

Facing a Charlotte Bobcats team that could again be without its top two scorers might help them get back on track.

The 76ers try to avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time Friday night when they host the woeful Bobcats.

Philadelphia (12-6) won 10 of 13 games through Jan. 16, holding opponents to league lows of 40.6 percent from the field and 25.3 from 3-point range while ranking second in points allowed (85.8 per game). The Sixers have since lost three of five games and the defense hasn't been as sound, surrendering averages of 95.4 points on 47.0 percent shooting from the floor and 37.3 from beyond the arc.

Part of Philadelphia's struggles may stem from injuries to its top two centers. Starter Spencer Hawes has sat out the last five games with a left Achilles strain and his backup, rookie Nik Vucevic, missed the last two because of a left quad strain. Both are listed as day to day.

"We definitely need our bigs," Elton Brand said after Wednesday's 97-90 overtime loss to New Jersey. "We're looking forward to getting them back, but we just couldn't get stops."

The Sixers could have better luck against the Bobcats (3-16), who are averaging a league-worst 85.0 points since Jan. 6 and might be missing starters Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin.

Henderson, scoring a team-high 15.4 points per game, sat out his first contest of the season Wednesday against Washington with a sore back and his status is uncertain. Augustin, who averages 13.6 points and a team-best 6.6 assists, has missed the last two games with an inflamed toe and will miss at least three more.

Without them, the Bobcats showed little life in a 92-75 loss to the Wizards, shooting 35.9 percent en route to their sixth straight defeat and 12th in 13 games. Matt Carroll, who came in averaging 2.2 points, scored a team-high 17 in his first start, while rookie Cory Higgins also recorded a season best with 13.

"Talent is what's most important in this league. If you don't have the talent, it's very difficult to win, it's very difficult to execute, it's very difficult to do anything," coach Paul Silas said. "Right now, we just don't have that. Our scorers, our two leading scorers are not playing, how are we gonna score?"

Playing without Augustin doesn't bode well considering how instrumental he was to Charlotte's lone win in three games against the Sixers last season. He scored a career-best 31 in a 100-97 victory last Jan. 20.

Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young led Philadelphia against the Bobcats last season, each averaging 16.7 points, but neither has been scoring much lately.

In his last three games, Iguodala is averaging 7.7 points - 5.5 below his season average. Young is averaging 10.0 points in his last three contests after combining to score 42 in his previous two.

The Sixers, 8-2 at the Wells Fargo Center, are two games into a seven-game homestand.

The Bobcats, 3-10 all-time in Philadelphia, have lost seven consecutive road games and were held below 90 points in all of them.

76ers rout Bobcats in front of 'Fresh Prince'

By DAN GELSTON
Posted Jan 27 2012 10:37PM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) Upstaged by their A-list owner, the Sixers still had the flavor of a crowd pleaser for Will Smith.

Led by Lou Williams and Jrue Holiday, the Sixers have yet to lose two straight games this season.

And they're undefeated in front of The Fresh Prince.

Williams scored 17 points and Holiday had 15 to help the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Charlotte Bobcats 89-72 on Friday night.

Jodie Meeks scored 14 points for the Sixers, who bounced back from a rare home loss to reach 19 games without a losing streak.

"We've always been good at bouncing back," Holiday said.

The Sixers won in front of co-owners Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The Hollywood power couple had a front-row seat for their first Sixers game of the season. Their son, Jaden, also watched the Sixers romp. Fans rhythmically chanted "We've got Will Smith! and the actor with the megawatt smile pointed toward them in appreciation.

The Sixers, who never trailed, improved to 9-2 at home.

"I think it can be great for us coming down the stretch to get out to 20-point leads and have the bench come in and sustain those leads," forward Elton Brand said. "Hopefully, we'll be much fresher because of it."

In Hollywood terms, this was a blockbuster.

While fans in Los Angeles and New York are accustomed to the A-list celebrity courtside sightings, Smith's presence was a big deal in the locker room.

Holiday, a California native who played at UCLA, suggested he could become Smith's latest sidekick, in a lineage that includes D.J. Jazzy Jeff and Carlton.

"We have the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the Fresh Prince of Hollywood," he said, smiling. "We can team up. That would be awesome."

Evan Turner and Holiday discussed which Sixer could dance the best Carlton, a move made popular in Smith's TV show, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Both agreed it would be forward Lavoy Allen. Turner met Smith once before in California and hoped he would visit the locker room after the game.

"Who doesn't like Will Smith? He's one of the best actors of all time," Turner said. "That would definitely be dope."

Holiday scored seven points in the first to get them off and running and stretch the lead to as many as 26 in the first half. Led by Williams' 10 points in the second quarter, the Sixers made 13 of 20 shots and continued to rough up the worst teams in the East to pad their solid record.

At one point in the first half, Williams had 12 points off the bench - the same total as Charlotte's starting five.

Next week can start to prove if the Sixers are a legitimate strong team in the East or one that has benefited from playing the Wizards three times. Orlando, Chicago and Miami all play at the Wells Fargo Center as part of the seven-game homestand.

"I do believe we've been home too much," coach Doug Collins said. "I think we need to get on the road and play. I think it gives you more of an edge. I think our players need to get out. But as long as we're here, we've got to keep winning."

There was no suspense in this one. Bobcats coach Paul Silas was hit for two quick technicals and was ejected with 4:38 left in the second quarter. He wasn't there to watch the Bobcats miss 13 of 19 shots in the third.

"I just kind of lost it out there," Silas said. "I said something I shouldn't have said and then kicked the ball. That won't happen anymore. I can't afford to let that happen. Everyone loses it every now and then, and I did."

The Bobcats scored only 10 points in the first quarter and lost their seventh straight game. Kemba Walker scored 14 points.

Early in the game, Walker tried to save a ball from going out of bounds and threw it into the bottom of the backboard.

The Sixers did their best to make Smith, a Philadelphia native, feel at home. There was the "Carlton Cam" and "Get Jiggy With it" cam for fans to dance along with and stay entertained during the rout.

Like Silas, the Smith family had seen enough and skipped out on the second half.

Notes: The 76ers signed center Francisco Elson. This is Elson's second stint with the Sixers. ... The Sixers gave away Holiday bobbleheads. "I look 50," he said. ... The Sixers have held the opposition below 80 points five times this season. ... The Atlantic Division-leading Sixers again played without starting center Spencer Hawes (left Achilles strain) and his backup, rookie Nik Vucevic (left knee quad strain).

Notebook: Sixers 89, Bobcats 72

By Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Friday January 27, 2012 10:08PM

THE FACTS: Any chance of a letdown from Wednesday's home loss to New Jersey was answered early. The 76ers led from start to finish in an 89-72 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday. The final score was a bit deceiving as the Sixers led by as many as 30 points in the second half. Lou Williams scored 17 points and Jrue Holiday had 15 points for the Sixers, who improved to 13-6 and 9-2 at the Wells Fargo Center. Jodie Meeks also contributed 14 points for the Sixers.

Kemba Walker scored 14 points while Matt Carroll and Derrick Brown chipped in with 11 points each for the Bobcats (3-17), who have dropped seven straight and 13 of the last 14.

QUOTABLE: "We wanted to get after them early and set the tone."
-- Sixers forward Elton Brand.

THE STAT: The Bobcats were just 4-for-15 from 3-point territory and 27-for-70 overall. That's 39 percent.

TURNING POINT: The Sixers have not had too many fast starts this season. That trend changed with a 23-10 opening quarter against Charlotte. The Sixers extended their advantage to 22 at halftime -- 59-37 -- and were never threatened from there.

HOT: Once again, Thaddeus Young was a spark off the bench for the Sixers. He knocked down five of his seven shots in just 24 minutes.

NOT: Gerald Henderson was a pleasant surprise starter despite a lower back contusion, but he struggled offensively, going 2-for-10. He never looked comfortable.

QUOTABLE II: "It feels good to play and to have the trust of my teammates. We have a great bunch of guys here and it feels very good to be contributing."
-- Sixers rookie forward Lavoy Allen.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Williams had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists while Holiday had 15 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Both Sixers guards played under control all night and displayed a solid all-around game against Charlotte.

INSIDE THE ARENA: There was a huge buzz about 10 minutes before tip-off when Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were escorted to their front-row seats. Smith is a part-owner of the Sixers and attended his first game Friday against the Bobcats. They received a standing ovation from the crowd when announced early in the second quarter.

QUOTABLE III: "I just kind of lost it and said something I shouldn't have said and kicked the ball. It won't happen again."
-- Bobcats coach Paul Silas, on being ejected with 4:48 left in the second quarter.

GOOD MOVE: The Sixers attacked the rim all night. Very wise considering the Bobcats were so short-handed entering the game. It didn't take long to wear down the Bobcats.

BAD MOVE: Charlotte waited far too long in its offensive sets. Too many times, the Bobcats took a shot with one second or two seconds on the shot clock. That's not going to help when you're already challenged with limited healthy bodies.

ROOKIE WATCH: Walker had 14 points and eight rebounds for the Bobcats while forward Bismack Biyombo contributed two points and two rebounds. Guard Cory Higgins was scoreless in 15 minutes. Meanwhile, Sixers forward Nikola Vucevic missed his third straight game with a left knee quad strain. Allen had eight points and seven rebounds in 28 minutes for Philly.

NOTABLE: Silas received a pair of technical fouls and was ejected with 4:48 left in the second quarter and his team trailing 46-25. ... The Sixers held the Bobcats to 10 points in the first quarter. ... The promotion for this game was a Bobblehead of Holiday. "I look very mature," Holiday quipped. ... The Sixers haven't lost consecutive games all season. ... The Sixers held their opponent below 80 points for the fifth time this season. ... Henderson, on the tenacious Sixers' defense: "I felt like I was in a Duke practice."

NEXT: For the Bobcats, Saturday vs. Washington, Tuesday @ LA Lakers, Wednesday @ Portland. For the Sixers, Saturday vs. Detroit, Monday vs. Orlando, Wednesday vs. Chicago.

• Bobcats: Maggette, Williams
• 76ers: Vucevic

• Bobcats: Silas, Silas
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 0
• Times Tied: 0

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #35 Kane Fitzgerald, #31 Scott Wall
• Attendance: 16199
• Duration: 2:01