Sixers Can't Keep Pace With Indiana

Where do we start on this one?

The Sixers, as coach Doug Collins noted, were truly flat in Tuesday's 111-103 over the visiting Indiana Pacers.

And even though the Sixers overcame a 16-point third quarter deficit and led by five in the fourth quarter, their lack of early energy caught up to them.

The biggest question is should Andre Iguodala been on the court?

After missing the past seven games with right Achilles tendinitis, Iguodala jumped back into the fire, or actually he appeared to be limping into it.

He played 33 minutes, had one point, shot 0 for 7 from the field. To his credit he didn't use injuries as an excuse afterwards.

The question remains - should he have been on the court?

When it was suggested to Iguodala that he was laboring, he said he was fine.

Iguodala gets credit for being a stand-up player, but should have he been out there in the first place?

He hadn't played since Dec. 26 against Denver and his first  basketball activity since then came during Monday's practice. When Collins was asked if he had any regrets playing him, the coach responded, "No. He is one of our best players. Eventually, he has got to start playing."

Only if he can play at an NBA level.

Either way, Iguodala was far from the only problem. Spencer Hawes said before the game that he felt good after his recent back injury, but since his return, he has not come close to regaining his form.

A bright spot was the play of Evan Turner, who looked aggressive, scored 14 points, shooting 5 for 10 from the field.

It wasn't enough to avoid a loss to a struggling team that had lost six of its previous seven games.

The Sixers have to walk that fine line of trying to work Iguodala back into the flow while attempting to win games. It happens all the time with injured players. The thing the Sixers have to make sure about is that Iguodala is healthy enough to return.

They say he is. The performance, albeit in only his first game back, suggested otherwise.