Sixers With A Chance To Avenge Last Week's Loss To The Raptors
By Spike Eskin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Doug Collins promised changes to the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Nets. He kept true to his word, and the Sixers delivered a win.
Jodie Meeks returned to the starting lineup, replacing Evan Turner, and rookie Nikola Vucevic started in place of Spencer Hawes, and the Sixers (30-27) cruised to a 107-88 victory over the Nets. Of the four players involved in the lineup change, Hawes showed the most life, scoring a season-high 19 points, while collecting eight rebounds and blocking three shots. Meeks scored five points on 2-8 shooting in 26 minutes, Turner scored two points on 1-4 shooting in 19 minutes, and Vucevic had four points and eight rebounds in 15 minutes.
The Sixers were able to gain a game on the Knicks, who lost to the Bulls last night. The Sixers, now seventh place in the Eastern Conference, sit one game ahead of the Knicks, who hold the eighth spot, and two in front of the Milwaukee Bucks, who are chasing the final playoff spot. The Knicks and Bucks play in Milwaukee tonight.
The Raptors (20-38) embarrassed the Sixers at the Wells Fargo Center a week ago, winning 99-78, behind 24 points from Andrea Bargnani and 13 point and 12 assists from Jose Calderon.
Tonight will go a long way in showing whether last night's effort from the Sixers was a mirage, or a sign of things to come.
You can listen to the game at 7pm on 98.1 WOGL.
