76ers can learn from mistakes in loss to Nets

If the Nets' Stephen Graham misses a three-pointer at the end of regulation Saturday, the Sixers come away with a win. And talks of their defensive meltdown in the waning seconds of the game almost assuredly become muted.

Maybe even their subpar shooting becomes a footnote. But Graham did drill that three, giving New Jersey a 90-89 win and magnifying and exposing all problems for coach Doug Collins to dissect.

For starters, he said, the Sixers need to communicate better, especially on defense, and recognize the score and shot clock. The loss, in fact, seemed like a blessing in disguise.

"There were several teaching points today off those last 15 seconds that we might have missed had [Graham's shot] not happened," Collins said Sunday after practice. "So better that happens now" in preseason.

Rookie Evan Turner was not so diplomatic. "We had the game won, and we didn't finish it off," he said. "Coach said he wants us to win just to have the taste of winning, but it's all about finishing off the game playing smart. We did some great things in regards to offense and defense and things like that, but they made tough shots, and things like that happen."

Aside from their defensive miscues to finish the game, the Sixers put together two solid defensive quarters (first and third), in which they allowed a combined 29 points.

That helped balance for the most part a spotty shooting night. Jrue Holiday (2 for 9), Elton Brand (2 for 11), Lou Williams (3 for 9), and Andres Nocioni (1 for 8) were the prime culprits.

And those woes became only more magnified when the Sixers, winless through three preseason games, surrendered three three-pointers in the final 15 seconds of the game.

Collins took solace in the fact that the Sixers had put themselves in a position to win despite shooting 35 percent. He also noted the team's improvement in the transition game. The Sixers scored 24 points in transition, a figure Collins said could have gotten as high as 40 with better recognition of opportunities.

"I was very pleased with what we did," he said. "We just didn't finish the game."

Out. Spencer Hawes (lower back strain) did not practice Sunday.