Sixers Notes: Hawes sidelined with Achilles strain

Spencer Hawes missed the 76ers game Friday against the Atlanta Hawks with a left Achilles strain, and he also won't play Saturday in Miami against the Heat.

Sixers coach Doug Collins said before Friday's game at the Wells Fargo Center that Hawes would be out against Miami. Friday was the second consecutive game Hawes missed with the injury.

"We've got to be very careful with this," Collins said. "This is an injury that if you come back too soon, you can be right back to where you were."

Collins is hoping that Hawes will be available for Monday's game at the Wells Fargo Center against the Washington Wizards. Hawes has similar optimism.

"Hopefully another day or two I can be back and won't have to worry about it," Hawes said after Friday morning's shootaround.

Hawes, who also missed an earlier game with a back injury, is averaging 10.4 points and 8.8 rebounds.

Rookie Nikola Vucevic started in his place Friday.

All-star Dwyane Wade has missed the Heat's last two games with a sprained right ankle. On Friday, a Heat official said Wade is still day-to-day.

A truly odd statistic: Wade has missed five games this year, and the Heat are 5-0 in those games.

Willie Green still owns a home in Philadelphia, and he says it's special to come back to face his former Sixers teammates.

Green, who signed with the Atlanta Hawks as a free agent on Dec. 22, played last season for the New Orleans Hornets after spending his first seven seasons with the Sixers.

"I am so grateful that this city and organization allowed me to come in and pursue my dream of playing in the NBA," Green said after the Hawks' shootaround. "It's always a blessing to be able to continue your career, no matter what team you are with."

Green entered Friday's game averaging 6.3 points and 16.2 minutes off the bench for the Hawks.

"Willie is a tough guy, a blue-collar guy who works hard when he is on the floor and can make shots, and that is a great combo to have, especially at this stage at his career," Hawks coach Larry Drew said. "I always liked him as a player and was excited that we had the opportunity to bring him in, and he has been a big plus for us."

After Saturday's game in Miami, the Sixers will play the next seven at home. . . . The Sixers will take a 4-3 road record into Miami.