Collins ready to resume coaching activities

Sixers coach Doug Colliins is being treated for vertigo and is feeling well enough to resume coaching activities. The team had off today and will hold practice tomorrow morning at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Collins flew with the team to Cincinnati on Monday for Tuesday's exhibition game with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After meeting with his coaching staff on Tuesday, Collins decided to fly back home to Philadelphia because of recurring symptoms from a concussion he suffered on Memorial Day when he fell in a coffee shop.

The Sixers will open their season on Wednesday when the Miami Heat come to the Wells Fargo Center.

In Wednesday's final exhibition game, the team started Jrue Holiday at the point, Andre Iguodala at shooting guard, Jason Kapono at small forward, Elton Brand at power forward and Tony Battie at center.

Kapono has given a spark to the first unit's offense. Wednesday against the Knicks, he poured in 20 points and made 4-of-7 three-pointers. During a 21-3 spurt in the third quarter, Kapono scored 10 points in less than two minutes.

Center Spencer Hawes, who has been out with a back problem, should be available for the season opener. Battie started the final two preseason games, his first action due to a swollen right knee.

If Hawes can get in a full week of work, look for him to start with relief from Battie. If Hawes isn't at full strength, the roles might be reversed for the opener. Wednesday, Battie grabbed nine rebounds and blocked three shots in 16 minutes of action against a scaled-down New York Knicks team. The Sixers won that game, 118-91, to finish the preseason 2-5.

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