Sixers Try To Avoid Trap
The Pacers come in sick and hurt, which is often enough to make an opponent dangerous.
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.