76ers Rout Knicks In Preseason Finale
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Doug Collins missed his second straight preseason game. His presence was still felt.
Jason Kapono and Andre Iguodala scored 20 points each and the Philadelphia 76ers closed their preseason schedule with a 118-91 victory over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
Lou Williams added 18 while Elton Brand had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers (2-5), who open the regular season on Oct. 27 at home against the Miami Heat. Jrue Holiday added 10 points and 11 assists.
Collins missed his second straight game because of symptoms related to a concussion he suffered on Memorial Day. Collins was undergoing tests Wednesday and his next on-court activity is scheduled for Friday's practice.
Associate head coach Michael Curry coached in Collins' absence.
"It was all scripted by him," Curry said of Collins.
Kapono said it was not quite the same without Collins patrolling the sideline.
"First off, we hope coach is going to be OK," Kapono said. "Coach is always into every detail in practice. He's been calling and texting, so he has been involved. We didn't know he was not feeling well. We hope he gets back as soon as possible."
Raymond Felton scored 16 points while Landry Fields and Anthony Randolph had 15 each for the Knicks (3-4), who will finish their preseason Friday against the Toronto Raptors in Montreal. Timofey Mozgov also had 12.
The short-handed Knicks gave Amare Stoudemire the night off after a 39-point, 11-rebound performance in a 117-111 win Tuesday against New Jersey. New York was also without forwards Kelenna Azubuike, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler along with center Eddy Curry.
"We'll just throw that one away, get our guys back and regroup for Friday night," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said.
Before the game, the Knicks responded to an ESPN report that the franchise has increased their efforts to acquire Carmelo Anthony from the Denver Nuggets.
"I can't talk about it. I won't talk about it," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said before the game. "It's an easy answer."
The Sixers led 60-54 at halftime and ripped off a 21-3 run to open the third, with the last 10 points coming from Kapono during the final one minute, 58 seconds of the spurt.
Philadelphia shot 15-for-24 from the field in the third.
"Coach Collins has given me a green light to shoot," said Kapono, who was 8-for-13 and 4-for-7 from 3-point territory. "It's a good feeling to keep shooting, even if I get off to a slow start."
Notes: Sixers C Spencer Hawes missed the game with a low back strain.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
