Sixers not changing mindset as they'll face Rose-less Bulls for rest of series
All the talk after the Sixers practice at the United Center in Chicago today was about the season-ending injury to reigning MVP Derrick Rose. But the Sixers insist it won't change their approach to the rest of the series.
The first thing Sixers coach Doug Collins talked about after the team's practice at the United Center today was how sorry he and the team felt for Bulls star Derrick Rose, whose season was lost when he tore an ACL towards the end of Chicago's Game 1, 103-91, victory.
After that, the focus turned toward how the Sixers will change their approach. They won't, insisted Collins. The Bulls will now start C.J. Watson at the point. On March 17 in Chicago, without Rose, the Bulls beat the Sixers by 89-80 as Watson led them with 20 points.
"We played them, right here on this floor, and C.J. Watson beat us," said Collins.
He went on to say that the one area the Sixers need to improve has nothing to do with Rose. It's all about the rebounding and the inside play. Chicago outrebounded the Sixers by 47-38 and dominated the inside defensively.
"We need to find a way to keep them off the boards and we have to win all the loose ball battles," said Elton Brand.
They'll also need to find some more offense. Starting shooting guard Jodie Meeks scored just two points and got pulled early in the game in favor of Evan Turner. Collins said after the game how much the team needed playmakers and that Turner was one of them. Asked today if Turner was going to start Game 2, Collins said he didn't want to tip his hand just yet. It would be a shock to me if Meeks is thrown out there to start on Tuesday.
On the injury front, starting center Lavoy Allen sprained his right thumb in Game One, but wasn't wearing any protection on it at practice today.
More to come...