Posted: Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 1:52 PM | 5 comments |
 

Sixers lose Brand for next two games
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As if losing five of the past seven games wasn't bad enough for the Sixers and coach Doug Collins, this morning at the team's shootaround at FedEx Forum in Memphis he announced that forward Elton Brand would miss the next two games (tonight against the Grizzlies and tomorrow in Houston) due to a sprained right thumb.

Brand hurt the thumb a couple of weeks ago and has been trying to play through the pain. But in Sunday's loss in Minnesota, Brand hurt it again trying to block a dunk attempt by 6-11, 290-pound Nikola Pekovic.

"He's probably going to be missing the next two games with that tumb," said Collins. "He reinjured it against Minnesota late in the game when he tried to block that play by Pekovic. We'll be without him the next two nights. Hopefully over the All-Star break that will give it a chance to calm that thing down."

After tomorrow's game in Houston, the team will be on break until they meet in Detroit on Monday for a practice before playing the Pistons on Tuesday night.

Little used Andres Nocioni, who has played in just eight games this season, will start in Brand's place tonight.

"We'll see if maybe he can give us some good energy and maybe some good spacing out on the floor and stuff," said Collins. "He's worked very hard and been a real pro for us. We think we need some activity. Obviously we're going to be giving up some size and that's going to be a real key for us because they (Memphis) do a good job on the offensive backboard. But I want to start this game with a lot of energy. I just think it's important."

For Nocioni the start is a reward for just keeping his head down and practicing hard every day, despite the fact that he's played so little.

"There's a reason why need to keep in shape and working hard every night," said Nocioni. "That is what I tried to do. I try to do my job, that's it. I'm pretty sure I'm in good shape and I'll be able to run the floor. I'm fine."
Posted by Bob Cooney @ 1:52 PM  Permalink | 5 comments
5
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 1:57 PM, 02/21/2012
    Nocioni is starting at the 4??? Now even I am starting to doubt DC's sanity. Noc doesn't play all year, now you start a front court of Iggy, Noc and I'm guessing either Allen or Vuc. Just start Thad and LouWill, play them both 35 minutes a game and take a chance on their stamina holding up.
    — Bobby V
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:29 PM, 02/21/2012
    Nocioni vs Speights. Awesome! What a matchup. Maybe Doug is just pointing out how soft Speights is?
    — phils_tnj1
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:57 PM, 02/21/2012
    I like the matchup of Nocioni and Speights. A seasoned vet vs a wanna be offensive threat. Nocioni can spread the floor better than Brand so this may be the wrinkle that DC needed while being able to keep that second unit together.
    — nceagle
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 3:32 PM, 02/21/2012
    Sixers lose Brand for two games....hmmmmmm...IMO that is a positive rather than negative, although I don't understand NOC starting in place of Young, but again nothing Collins is doing lately makes sense to me. My two favorite basketball teams (Sixers and Nova) both have "bums" as coaches...oy vey!!!!!
    — catfan1971
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 7:05 PM, 02/21/2012
    This was the time to experiment with Nik and Thad or Lavoy and Thad . Thad 's at home in Memphis. Elson or Battie could have given Nik a breather. Noc could have given Thad a breather as the Grizzlies bench isn't great. From not playing at all to starting??? Maybe Dre' will guard Speights. Hope it works, DC.
    — philsix6


5 comments
About Bob Cooney
Bob Cooney has been at the Daily News for more than 20 years, working in the sports department for the past 15. This is his third season on the Sixers beat. He has covered just about everything, but mostly college basketball, where he was the La Salle beat writer for six seasons. E-mail Bob at cooneyb@phillynews.com and follow him on Twitter.

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