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76ers-Jazz Preview

Dec 25, 2009 - 9:07 PM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

Philadelphia (7-21) at Utah (16-13), 9:00 p.m. EDT

Deron Williams had his worst game of the season during a disappointing week on the road for Utah. The Jazz, though, easily defeated the Philadelphia 76ers last month without the star point guard.

Williams is expected to play this time and may not have to face Allen Iverson as the Jazz try to continue their home dominance of the 76ers on Saturday night.

Utah (16-13) is coming off a 2-3 road trip, losing the finale 80-70 to Miami on Wednesday night. The Jazz set season marks for fewest points allowed and fewest points scored even though Williams had 18, the same total he scored in a loss at Orlando two nights earlier.

Williams, however, was held to a season-low two points on 1-of-8 shooting in the second game of the trip, a 96-83 loss to Atlanta on Dec. 18. He's averaging 30.3 points and 13.0 assists in his last three games at EnergySolutions Arena, where Utah is 11-4.

"It's something more mental than physical - ready to go home," Williams said. "But you've got to try to win before you get home."

The Jazz fared just fine with Williams out due to personal reasons in a matchup at Philadelphia on Nov. 13, winning 112-90 for their fifth consecutive victory in the series.

Utah has won 18 of its last 20 home games against the 76ers, holding them to 93.5 points per game.

Philadelphia is 3-11 on the road this season, though it's been outscored in those contests by an average of 3.4 points.

The Sixers (7-21) are playing their first game since a 105-98 loss at Washington on Tuesday night, but Iverson (knee, shoulder) still might not be healthy enough to play. Iverson, averaging 15.6 points in five contests with Philadelphia after a month away from the NBA, has missed three straight games and is listed as day to day.

The Sixers have started 19-year-old point guard Jrue Holiday in Iverson's place, but he had five points versus the Wizards after being held scoreless in a 112-107 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last Saturday.

Defense, though, has been Philadelphia's biggest concern. The Sixers forced a season-low nine turnovers Tuesday and gave up more than 100 points for the fourth time in five games.

"If we're going to not box out, not rebound, not play 'D,' then you shouldn't be out there," forward Elton Brand said. "We need games right now. We need to be hungry."

Brand led Philadelphia with 18 points and 12 rebounds against Washington. He's shooting 59.6 percent (31 for 52) over his last five games.

Brand could at times be matched up with Utah's Paul Millsap, who left in the third quarter against the Heat after getting hurt trying to defend center Joel Anthony. Millsap suffered a mild concussion and needed 10 stitches in his mouth after fouling Anthony, who inadvertently struck him with an elbow.

Millsap, averaging 10.7 points and 5.2 rebounds, isn't listed on the Jazz's injury report. He had 15 points in this season's first matchup with Philadelphia and was among seven Utah players to score in double figures.

Jazz forward Carlos Boozer led all players with 24 points and 12 rebounds. He's averaged 23.0 points on 63.9 percent shooting in his last eight games versus the Sixers.