Sixers aren't overlooking depleted opponents

CLEVELAND - It's an envious and unwelcome position to be in, at the same time.

For the second straight game, the 76ers were facing a depleted opponent as the Cleveland Cavaliers yesterday were without the three players they garnered before Thursday's trade deadline. Baron Davis and Semih Erden were deactivated yesterday, while Luke Harangody was on the bench but did not play.

Friday night, the Detroit Pistons used just six players at the Wells Fargo Center. Earlier in the day, several players missed the morning shootaround, reportedly as a form of protest against coach John Kuester. In turn, Kuester decided not to play any of them, which included four players who had started the game before.

The Sixers rolled over the Pistons, 110-94. Yesterday, after a slow start, they took care of the Cavaliers, 95-91.

"I sure hope we wouldn't [overlook an opponent]," coach Doug Collins said. "[Cleveland] isn't the team that lost 26 in a row earlier this year. They've just beaten the Clippers, the Lakers and the other night they beat New York. If we come in and think of easy games ever, we're only fooling ourselves."

If you should see a player or two, or maybe even Doug Collins, glancing up toward the upper seats during games, don't think that they are totally lost in thought all the time. They just might be trying to catch a glimpse at what other Eastern Conference teams are doing.

Yes, scoreboard watching has officially become a pastime for those involved with the Sixers, who are now fighting to catch New York for the sixth playoff spot, which would probably prevent a first-round matchup with either Boston or Miami.

"I keep an eye on the scores, of course," said forward Thaddeus Young. "But more than anything I keep an eye on the standings. I know who's around us. I know that we're chasing the Knicks for that sixth playoff spot. I know the teams that are behind us and trying to catch up. I also know that without question the two best teams in the Eastern Conference right now are the Boston Celtics and the Miami Heat."

Even Collins mentioned how he noticed that Indiana had lost before the Sixers started play and that he would be keeping an eye on the Knicks' and Charlotte scores.

Though he was deactivated yesterday and is battling a sore right knee, guard Baron Davis said he is looking at his deadline trade from the Clippers to the Cavs as a "rebirth."

Davis and Cavs coach Byron Scott were together as player and coach for 18 games in the 2004-05 season with the New Orleans Hornets.

What a difference a week makes. Nine days ago, Davis was throwing an alley-oop pass to then-teammate Blake Griffin from a car in the All-Star dunk contest.