After quieter second game, Noel still very much on track

ORLANDO - The sequel wasn't quite as exciting as the debut, but don't get yourselves in a lather, 76ers fans. Nerlens Noel and the team are just fine with his game right now.

Following Saturday's 19-point debut, Noel was sort of pedestrian in Tuesday night's 92-71 Orlando Pro Summer League win over the Houston Rockets, posting eight points, six rebounds, three blocks and a pair of steals. He tweaked his left ankle in the third quarter, but asked to stay in the game and played a couple of more solid minutes before sitting for the night.

"Nerlens was great," said Lloyd Pierce, the Sixers assistant directing the summer league squad. "I loved his activity tonight. Obviously, he didn't have the opportunities, as far as scoring and getting to the foul line, but he was great. He was good in pick-and-rolls, he had a nice steal early in the game which led to a dunk. He was very active at the rim, coming over as a weakside shot blocker. I thought his activity level was very impressive tonight.

Pierce said that the ankle issue wasn't major, and that Noel got treatment after the game. He also said he didn't know whether Noel will play tonight against Brooklyn.

Guard Casper Ware continued his good play and led the Sixers with 16 points, and Hollis Thompson added 14. Two of the team's second-round picks, K.J. McDaniels (15 points, five rebounds) and Jerami Grant (12 points, five rebounds) had productive games. Saint Joseph's product Ronald Roberts again was the talk of the day, as he sprung over anybody and everybody on his way to nine points and four rebounds.

Forward Ed Daniel was out with a lower back contusion . . . Thaddeus Young arrived just before the game and sat on the Sixers' bench. He, his wife and two young children were in town to visit Walt Disney World, so he said he decided to pop in and catch a game.

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