76ers Notes

The abdominal strain, which the point guard suffered the same day he hurt his back in a March 10 game against Boston, is a different story.

"The back is better, but it's more the abdomen that is aggravating me," Miller said before the Sixers' game at Amway Arena against the Orlando Magic. "It's more sore than the back."

Miller said he expects the abdominal injury to continue bothering him until the season ends. The best cure is rest, which Miller doesn't want right now.

The Sixers' opponents wouldn't mind if he took a break.

Before the game, Magic coach Stan Van Gundy described Miller as one of the top four or five point guards in the NBA.

"I think every coach has a certain type of player they like that appeals to them, and I appreciate the compliment," Miller said.

Fighting through injuries

Nelson has missed 10 games with the following: concussion, back strain, strained tendon in his right foot, strained right hamstring.

"This is probably the healthiest I've been in a long time," Nelson said before the game. "I had injuries nobody knew about, as far as the media was concerned, and I tried to play through it.

"I never make excuses," he said, "and when I step on the court, I play to the best of my ability."

Nelson was proud that his alma mater had earned an NCAA tournament berth.

"It's exciting," he said. "I talked to Coach [Phil Martelli] yesterday, and I wished good luck to him and a few of the players and I told them I'm there with them."

Then, laughing, he added, "I told them not to mess up my bracket."

Unfortunately for Nelson, the Hawks didn't comply. They lost to Oklahoma, 72-64, in the first round.

Guokas honored

Guokas was the first head coach in Magic history and now serves as the team's television analyst.

Presenting Guokas with a framed poster from his first season with the Magic was Pat Williams, former Sixers general manager and current Magic senior vice president. The Magic also unveiled a permanent banner of Guokas that will be displayed on the arena concourse.

- Marc Narducci