Sixers In Charlotte To Take On The Bobcats
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After the Sixers toughest two week stretch of the season, things have gotten a bit easier. After taking care of the Cavs in Cleveland on Saturday night, while the Cavs were missing their two best players (Kyrie Irving, Anderson Varejao), the Sixers head to Charlotte tonight to play the worst team in the NBA.
To say the 3-24 Bobcats are the worst team in the league may be an understatement. They've lost 14 consecutive games. They're scoring the fewest points per game in the NBA, while allowing the most points per game in the league. They just became the first team in NBA history to lose consecutive home games by more than 25 points each. Their leading rebounder (Corey Maggette), is averaging fewer than six rebounds per game. To make matters worse, their starting backcourt and two leading scorers, Gerald Henderson and D.J. Augustin, are expected to miss the game due to injury.
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The Bobcats are being led now by rookie point guard Kemba Walker, who although is scoring more with more minutes, is still shooting 35% from the field.
The Sixers (19-9) come in attempting to win their 20th in the 29th game of the season. The Atlantic Division leading Sixers would hit that mark 16 games faster than they did last year, when the team started the season 3-13. They'll be looking for back-to-back wins after losing consecutive games (San Antonio, Los Angeles Clippers) for the first time this year. Their win on Saturday in Cleveland was the kind the Sixers have gotten used to, with six players in double figures.
The Sixers will be without center Spencer Hawes, who didn't travel with the team on their current three game road trip, as he tries to recover from an injured Achilles that's kept him out of 13 games this year. The Sixers will start rookie Lavoy Allen in his place. They had been starting rookie Nikola Vucevic at the center position, until the coaching staff decided he'd be better suited coming off the bench.
The game can be heard live on 94 WIP at 7pm.
