IS GLAD SPRING TRAINING IS FINALLY HERE
The Indiana Pacers are here tonight to face the 76ers.
Well, at least some of them are.
And some of them are hospitalized in Indianapolis. Those would be Troy Murphy, Marquis Daniels and Danny Granger, all suffering from flu-like symptoms that kept them out of last night's 117-109 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. They've been without forward Mike Dunleavy all season because of a right knee injury. T.J. Ford played against the Clippers, but did not start because of a sore left groin, and Maceo Baston has struggled with back spasm.
In the Sixwers' pregame meeting, new coach Tony DiLeo reminded the players that a wounded team can still be a dangerous team.
''We don't want any letdowns,'' DiLeo said. ''We're trying to build something for the future. Our main priority is to build our defense and offense like we want, then have a game plan against the team we're playing, no matter who it is.''
The Sixers came in holding a three-game winning streak, all since DiLeo stepped out of the front office to succeed the fired Maurice Cheeks.
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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