Sixers lose badly, final team meeting at noon Friday

With just under eight minutes left to last night's 114-89 elimination loss to Orlando, the courtside illuminaries were dialing up the next chapter in their lives.

On the far end of the court, Jimmy Rollins, in a green Phillies warmup, was talking on his cell. Former Sixers President and GM Billy King pulled out his blackberry for a quick look, maybe a score, maybe a salient observation from a supporter.

Flyers center Mike Richards was also in the house, and if he was as relieved as disappointed, well who could blame him. Because as bad as the stinker he captained last Saturday -- coughing up a three-goal lead at home -- well this was worse.

Wasn't it?

At home, with Orlando's star center Dwight Howard suspended and versatile guard Courtney Lee in the hospital having surgery on his broken nose, the Sixexrs managed to lose by 25 points. Worse, they trailed by double digits for much of the game, shot 40.8 percent for the game.

"No I wouldn't say it was embarrassing,'' said Thaddeus Young after scoring eight points in over 41 minutes of play.

Well, then...

Maybe that's part of the problem, no?