Hornets-76ers Preview

By JEFF BARTL
Posted Jan 14 2013 5:45PM

Doug Collins was pleased his Philadelphia 76ers were able to get their homestand off to a solid start their last time out, though he'd like to see some improvement on the defensive end of the floor.

A similar performance to their first meeting with the New Orleans Hornets likely would suffice as they seek their sixth victory in the last seven matchups Tuesday night.

Philadelphia (16-22) began a stretch of four straight and 12 of 13 games at home with a 107-100 win over Houston on Saturday, marking the most points it has scored in regulation this season.

The 76ers, who snapped a five-game losing streak, rank near the bottom of the league averaging 92.6 points.

"We needed it," said Jrue Holiday, who scored a game-high 30 points and added nine assists. "Going into this home stretch, getting the first one is huge. Home court is big. It's crucial. We've got to come here and try and win at home."

While the offensive outburst was welcomed, Collins' team allowed at least 100 points for the fourth time in five games. Philadelphia is giving up an average of 103.4 points in that stretch compared to 95.8 prior to it.

The 76ers had their best defensive effort of the season Nov. 7, setting a season best for points allowed while holding New Orleans (11-26) to its fewest of the season in a 77-62 victory.

The Hornets' Eric Gordon and No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis sat out that meeting with injuries, though, and Collins expects a much tougher test despite New Orleans scoring only 91.9 points per game.

"We know how important it is (to have a defensive mindset) with this New Orleans team (because) we didn't see Eric Gordon or Anthony Davis the first time we played," Collins said. "(Coach) Monty Williams has done a great job with that team and they've had some great wins. We've got a very tough game (Tuesday) night and New Orleans is our focus."

The Western Conference-worst Hornets had their season-best four-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 100-87 loss at New York despite 22 points from Gordon and 13 points and eight rebounds from Davis.

"We just didn't play with a sense of urgency," Williams said. "After winning four games in a row, I thought our guys kind of rested on the fact they need to show up."

Davis, averaging 9.3 points over his last eight games after averaging 14.6 during a stretch of 10 straight double-figure scoring efforts, said the Hornets can't let one game swing their emotions.

"Even if we lose, we have to learn from it and move on to the next game," Davis said. "Even if we win, we can't get too high on a win. Guys are in the league for a reason and everyone can play. We have to think about it that way."

The Hornets may have a tough time slowing Holiday - 14 points and 12 assists in the first meeting - and Thaddeus Young, who finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds in the last matchup.

Young is coming off his 10th double-double in 38 games after having 11 in 361 games over five seasons prior to this campaign.

Collins said neither player had a strenuous practice Monday in order to rest them for this game.

"When Thad and Jrue have great energy, then everybody feeds off that," Collins said. "We've got to keep those guys fresh."

Vasquez, Gordon lead Hornets past 76ers

Posted Jan 16 2013 1:30AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) The young New Orleans Hornets are growing up in the new year.

Greivis Vasquez scored 23 points, Eric Gordon added 19 and the Hornets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 111-99 on Tuesday night. After losing 13 of 16 in December, New Orleans has won five of eight in January.

Ryan Anderson had 14 points, Xavier Henry scored 11 and Anthony Davis 10 for the Hornets, who are still last in the Western Conference at 12-26 - including matching 6-13 records at home and on the road.

"We're getting healthy now, and we are becoming a team now," said Vasquez, who added nine assists. "We have guys who can just get out there and go. And I think our best weapon right now is our energy, because we're so young."

Jrue Holiday led the Sixers with 29 points and 11 assists. Nick Young and Evan Turner added 14 points each while Thaddeus Young scored 12.

The Sixers have been inconsistent all season and this game was further proof following a resounding 107-100 victory Saturday over Houston. Philadelphia still hasn't won consecutive games since a three-game streak from Nov. 25-30.

"The disappointing thing for me is night to night, I don't know what I'm going to get," Sixers coach Doug Collins said.

The Sixers began a stretch of 12 of 13 at home with the victory over the Rockets, and appeared to have a good chance to string together a winning streak - especially with sub-.500 teams New Orleans and Toronto (Friday) coming to town.

Plus, Philadelphia received a dose of good news Monday when All-Star center Andrew Bynum took shots during practice with the coaching staff. Bynum, who has yet to play a game for his new team this season, is currently on a six-step rehabilitation process that he hopes will get him back into the lineup around the Feb. 15 All-Star break.

Bynum has been lifting weights, and he began running on Monday while saying his knees were pain-free.

But the lift from seeing Bynum work out didn't transfer into this game against New Orleans.

"We can't let teams jump on us in the first quarter," Thaddeus Young said.

The Hornets outscored Philadelphia 33-21 in the third quarter, extending a six-point halftime lead to 86-68. New Orleans pushed its lead to 20 following Henry's dunk with 11:26 remaining and the fans vehemently displayed their displeasure with a cascade of boos throughout the arena.

"Third quarter, we got control of the game and our defense really carried us," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "To come out with that kind of energy, we haven't had a lot of those nights. This is a major step for us and it says a lot about our team."

Collins tried to jump-start his team by putting Nick Young in the lineup to open the fourth. Young was benched against the Rockets and sat for the first three quarters against the Hornets.

But Young sparked the Sixers with 14 points in the fourth and they got within eight on a 3-pointer by Dorell Wright with 5:25 left.

It was too little too late.

"I can't find answers," Collins said. "It's not like I'm not trying."

The Hornets responded and quickly pushed the lead back to 105-91 after a 3-pointer by Vasquez.

"We have raised the expectation level for us," Gordon said. "When we have consistent play, and you combine that with the chemistry we now have, it is something to build off."

New Orleans was strong throughout the first half and took a 53-47 halftime lead thanks to 57-percent shooting (24 for 42).

NOTES: The Hornets shot 16 of 21 (76.2 percent) in the first quarter. . The Sixers knocked down six 3-pointers in the first, a team high for any quarter this season. . Holiday recorded his 10th double-double of the season.

Notebook: Hornets 111, Sixers 99

Andy Jasner, for NBA.com
Posted Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:48 PM - Updated Tue Jan 15, 2013 10:48 PM

THE FACTS: Greivis Vasquez scored 23 points and added nine assists while Eric Gordon continued his strong play with 19 points as the New Orleans Hornets shot 53 percent in a lopsided 111-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night at the Wells Fargo Center. Ryan Anderson (14 points) and Xavier Henry (11) combined for 25 huge points off the bench while Anthony Davis chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds for the Hornets, who improved to 12-26.

Jrue Holiday once again played at an All-Star level with 29 points and 11 assists while Nick Young and Evan Turner scored 14 points apiece. All of Young's points came in the fourth quarter. Thaddeus Young had 12 points for the Sixers, who fell to 16-23.

QUOTABLE: "To come out of halftime with that kind of energy, we haven't been a team that's done that consistently, so I'm not sure we had control of the game. But I thought we played pretty well."
-- Hornets coach Monty Williams

THE STAT: The Sixers allowed at least 10 made 3-pointers for the 10th time this season. In Philadelphia's 23 losses, opponents are averaging 7.8 3-pointers made per game compared to 5.8 in its 16 victories.

TURNING POINT: After building a 53-47 lead at halftime, the Hornets proceeded to outscore the Sixers 33-21 in the third quarter. It was more than enough of an advantage on this night.

HOT: Vasquez was 10-for-18 while Gordon was 7-for-13. The Hornets were 44-for-83 overall and 10-for-18 from beyond the arc.

NOT: Thaddeus Young missed 12 of his 18 shots and Spencer Hawes was 2-for-6 for the reeling Sixers.

QUOTABLE II: "We couldn't get any stops. They outran us. They outrebounded us. They beat us in the paint. They out-executed us. They beat us in every way they possibly could."
-- Sixers coach Doug Collins

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Vasquez had 23 points, nine assists and two rebounds. For the Sixers, Holiday registered his 10th double-double with 29 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and four steals.

INSIDE THE ARENA: There was a lively crowd of 17,304 at the Wells Fargo Center. When the Hornets extended their lead to 20 in the second half, boos began careening all around the arena. When the final buzzer sounded, those boos were quite evident, too.

QUOTABLE III: "I thought we started off sloppy in the third quarter, but they weren't making shots, so that was the good thing for us. But I thought we played with a lot of energy and then we started hitting shots and we started getting into our offense."
-- Vasquez.

GOOD MOVE: The Hornets shot well from the perimeter but they also attacked the rim with ferocity the entire game. Since the Sixers don't have much protection in the middle, it was a wise decision to drive the lane. That opened up shots from beyond the arc the entire game.

BAD MOVE: Nick Young sparked the Sixers with 14 points in the fourth, but he probably could have been inserted in the game earlier in the second half. He's shaky on defense but he can score in bunches as he proved.

ROOKIE WATCH: Davis had 10 points and seven rebounds while guard Austin Rivers had one point, one rebound and one assist in 5:18 for the Hornets. Guard Brian Roberts gave the Hornets a big lift with seven points in 6:40. For the Sixers, guard Maalik Wayns and forward Arnett Moultrie each received a DNP-CD.

NOTABLE: In the first quarter, the Hornets were red hot, going 16-for-21 from the field. ... The Sixers have allowed at least 110 points for the fifth time this season. ... The Sixers fell to 0-8 when opponents shoot 50 percent or better and have dropped 22 in a row dating to 2010-11. ... Over the past 17 games, Vasquez is averaging 17.3 points, 10.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds. ... Nick Young scored at least 10 points in the fourth quarter for the third time this season. ... The Hornets had 22 fast break points while holding the Sixers to just 14.

NEXT: For the Hornets, Wednesday @ Boston, Saturday vs. Golden State, Monday vs. Sacramento. For the Sixers, Friday vs. Toronto, Monday vs. San Antonio, Tuesday @ Milwaukee.

• Hornets: Miller
• 76ers: Bynum

• Hornets: --
• 76ers: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 1

• Arena: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
• Officials: #23 Jason Phillips, #59 Gary Zielinski, #79 Kevin Scott
• Attendance: 17304
• Duration: 2:04