Allen and Young expected to start 76ers' opener

Coach Doug Collins confirmed after 76ers practice Thursday that the starting lineup for Wednesday's season opener likely will have Lavoy Allen at center and Thaddeus Young at power forward.

Allen and Young, key reserves last season, scrimmaged with a group that included Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, and Jason Richardson. At the beginning of training camp, Collins had planned to start Andrew Bynum at center and Spencer Hawes at power forward. However, because of knee pain, it is unlikely Bynum will appear in Wednesday's starting lineup.

"I would have to say that's a great chance; that group has played very well together," Collins said. "We don't have great size, with Andrew and Kwame [Brown] being our two biggest guys. If that is the group that we will start with, we are going to have to really rebound that ball.

"But I like our speed, and I like our shooting and the way we push the ball. The guys have settled into a good fit."

The No. 2 pick in the 2000 draft, Turner will be paid more than $6 million next season since the Sixers exercised the fourth-year option on his contract. The Sixers can sign Turner to an extension before the start of next season. If they do not, Turner will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2014.

Collins announced that Holiday, Richardson, and Young are the 2012-13 team captains.