Final
  for this game

Nets-76ers Preview

Mar 17, 2010 - 3:55 AM By ANTHONY GIORNALISTA STATS Senior Writer

New Jersey (7-59) at Philadelphia (23-44), 7:00 p.m. EDT

A terrible season for the Philadelphia 76ers isn't getting any better. There's not even much solace they can take from a sweep of the New Jersey Nets.

The 76ers have a chance to end their latest long losing streak Wednesday night with their first season series sweep of the league-worst Nets.

After making the playoffs each of the last two seasons, Philadelphia (23-44) is on track to finish with its worst record since going 22-60 in 1996-97. With the season winding down and perhaps little motivation left, the 76ers have lost five straight and 10 of 11.

Still, Philadelphia hasn't been nearly as bad as New Jersey (7-60), needs to win three of its last 15 games to avoid the NBA mark for fewest victories in a season set by the 1972-73 Sixers as they went 9-73.

This seems to be Philadelphia's best shot at a sweep in 33 years of facing the Nets. The Sixers have won all three of their matchups with New Jersey this season, allowing 84.0 points a contest.

The Sixers, though, have not won any of those games by more than four points, and are shooting 37.7 percent over the last two - nearly identical to the percentage in their last two overall, including a 33-for-86 performance in a 94-84 loss to New York on Monday.

"We have to find a way to make shots," Philadelphia center Samuel Dalembert said.

The Sixers also desperately need leading scorer Andre Iguodala to end his slump.

Iguodala, shooting a career-worst 42.7 percent, missed all seven of his attempts from 3-point range and went 5 for 22 overall. He's 1 for 19 from beyond the arc over his last four games.

Iguodala is averaging 13.0 points and shooting 37.5 percent this season against New Jersey.

The sixth-year swingman may get some much-needed help. Lou Williams (back) will be a game-time decision after sitting out versus the Knicks.

Williams is averaging a career-high 14.6 points and 4.1 assists.

Second-year big man Marreese Speights may also play after missing five games due to a sprained right knee. He has not developed as quickly as expected after being selected with the 16th pick in the 2008 draft, averaging 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds without a start this season.

New Jersey is hopeful point guard Devin Harris will be back after an upper respiratory illness forced him to miss a 108-84 loss to Atlanta on Tuesday. Harris, one of the Nets' few playmakers, was replaced in the starting lineup by Keyon Dooling, who had eight points and team-best six assists.

Harris started feeling sick on New Jersey's five-game road trip last week. Averaging 17.3 points and 6.7 assists, Harris has missed all three games against Philadelphia this season due to various injuries.

Nets center Brook Lopez is averaging 21.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks versus the Sixers this season. He's coming off another steady performance, finishing with 21 points versus the Hawks.

Josh Boone had a season-high 13 points and a career-high 20 rebounds for New Jersey. The 6-foot-10 forward has started five straight games.






  • 10
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    MattDOOM777 Added 5 roots

    Nets 97, 76ers 108  FinalMar 18 1:32 AM
  • 5
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    #1 Cards Fan Added 5 roots

    Nets 97, 76ers 108  FinalMar 17 10:33 PM


  • NBA
    FINAL 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
    --- --- --- --- -----
    NEW JERSEY 22 27 19 29 97
    PHILADELPHIA 32 28 21 27 108 FINAL

    HIGH SCORERS: NJN - CHRIS DOUGLAS-ROBERTS 23, KEYON DOOLING
    15, TERRENCE WILLIAMS 13
    PHI - ANDRE IGUODALA 20, JRUE HOLIDAY 19,
    ELTON BRAND 12

    Mar 17 9:20 PM


  • NBA
    NEW JERSEY 68
    PHILADELPHIA 81 END, 3RD QTR

    Mar 17 8:47 PM


  • NBA
    HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
    --- --- --- --- -----
    NEW JERSEY 22 27 49
    PHILADELPHIA 32 28 60 HALFTIME
    HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME
    NJN - KEYON DOOLING 11, TERRENCE WILLIAMS 8,
    THREE PLAYERS WITH 6
    PHI - ANDRE IGUODALA 16, JRUE HOLIDAY 11,
    WILLIE GREEN 8

    Mar 17 8:05 PM


  • NBA
    NEW JERSEY 22
    PHILADELPHIA 32 END, 1ST QTR

    Mar 17 7:35 PM