Friday, 16 November, 2012 16:59
Last Updated on Friday, 16 November, 2012 17:04
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Andrew Bynum’s continued absence is becoming a major problem in the paint
for the Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s not likely to get any better against the Utah Jazz.
The 76ers hope to begin solving their issues under the basket and avoid a fourth
straight home loss Friday night against the Jazz. Philadelphia (4-4) acquired
Bynum in a four-team, 12-player trade with the Los Angeles Lakers in the hopes
that he would provide an inside presence. However, the only place he’s making
his presence felt is in the training room, and a knee injury is expected to keep
the oft-injured 7-footer sidelined until at least early January. The 76ers clearly
could use Bynum’s size and scoring ability since they rank among the least pro-
ductive teams in the paint at 33.5 points per game.
Coach Doug Collins has started either 6-foot-9 Lavoy Allen or journeyman Kwame
Brown at center in Bynum’s place. Neither has contributed very much, with Allen
averaging 5.6 points and Brown 3.5. Collins’ team was held to 28 points under
the basket, shot a season-worst 29.8 percent and was outrebounded 57-38 in
Wednesday’s 94-76 home loss to previously winless Detroit.
“It’s not the end of the world,” said center Spencer Hawes, who missed 4 of 5
shots to finish with five points. “We’re going to get it right. We’re going to get
it back on track.”
Facing Utah (4-5) isn’t likely to solve the Sixers’ biggest problem. The Jazz aver-
age 43.1 points in the paint, and are led by forward Paul Millsap and center Al
Jefferson, who average 16.1 points and 15.0, respectively. They’re also a force
on the boards, with Jefferson among the league leaders at 11.8 per game while
Millsap isn’t far behind at 9.7.
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The New York Knicks remain the league’s only undefeated team.
If they want to keep it that way, they’ll have to snap the Memphis Grizzlies’ 14-game
regular-season home winning streak.
New York will look to continue its best start in 19 seasons Friday night when the
Grizzlies try to extend their best-ever start with a seventh consecutive victory.
Down by as many as 12 in the fourth quarter on Thursday, the Knicks (6-0) closed
on a 27-11 run to defeat San Antonio 104-100. It was the most points New York had
given up this season, and it was its first win by fewer than 10 points, but a victory
over a top opponent was all that counted.
“It shows me this team is for real,” coach Mike Woodson said.
The Knicks, who are off to their best start since the 1993-94 team opened 7-0 en
route to an NBA finals appearances, have a chance to go 4-0 on the road for the
first time since 1996-97. The Grizzlies (6-1), though, are 3-0 at home for the first
time and undefeated at FedExForum in regular-season play since a 114-110 over-
time loss to Toronto on March 16. Perfect since a 101-92 season-opening loss to
the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis is coming off back-to-back victories over last
season’s NBA finalists. The host Grizzlies defeated Miami 104-86 on Sunday,
then won 107-97 at Oklahoma City on Wednesday.
“(The Thunder are) one of the best teams in the West,” said Memphis forward
Zach Randolph, who posted his seventh consecutive double-double with 20
points and 11 rebounds. “We’re trying to get where they’re at.”
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