Sixers looking for more from Spencer Hawes

Coach Doug Collins said that the challenge in the early part of the 76ers season has been getting more production from more players.

It's not an unusual challenge, Collins said, but better play must coaxed out of about three quarters of his team.

Following Monday's practice, Collins said that the rest of the 10-7 Sixers have to produce as effectively as Jrue Holiday, Thaddeus Young, and Evan Turner. They are combining to average more than 47 points per game.

"I have three guys playing at an extremely high level - Jrue, Thad, and Evan," Collins said. "What we have to do is keep growing and get the other guys to play at a high level."

One of those players is Spencer Hawes, who is averaging just 7.2 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.1 minutes per night.

Since totaling 16 points and 12 rebounds in an opening night 84-75 win over Denver, Hawes has been inconsistent. He said he is putting extra pressure on himself to perform.

"I am trying to do it all at once," Hawes said. "I have a lot of expectations for myself and the team, and you have to go out and prove it."

Hawes has one other double-double, when he contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds in a 93-83 win at Toronto on Nov. 10. Other than his two double-double games, Hawes has scored in double figures only two other times.

Collins said that Hawes makes mistakes when he speeds things up, and the coach and player discussed Hawes' recent play before practice.

"I need 24 to 25 consistent minutes from him every night off the bench," Collins said of Hawes.

Hawes said he knows that he has to pick out one part of his game that he can control and work on it. The only problem is knowing which part to pick out.

"That is what I'm struggling with," Hawes said. "I am trying to figure it out. I know if I am more consistent with defensive rebounding then all else falls in place."

Young questionable. Guard Nick Young, who didn't play in Saturday's 93-88 loss at Chicago due to a hyperextension of his left big toe, didn't practice Monday and is listed as a game-time decision for Tuesday night's game against visiting Minnesota.

Love on the run. The Timberwolves are 7-8, but just 2-4 since star Kevin Love came back from a broken hand he suffered in the preseason. Love is averaging 21.7 points and 15.3 rebounds but shooting just 37 percent from the field.

"He is probably one of the most difficult matchups of the year," Thaddeus Young said. "The guy never stops going to the basket and is very active, and he is the best rebounder in the league."