76ers at Jazz
THE STORY: The Philadelphia 76ers continue their five-game trip looking to end a series drought at winless Utah on Friday. The 76ers have struggled in Salt Lake City, losing six in a row and 20 of their last 22 dating to the 1988-89 season. Philadelphia bounced back from an opening loss at Portland to roll past Phoenix 103-83. The 76ers led by as much as 34 and opened the second half with a 19-0 run. “I have been adamant about coming out and warming up well and trying to hit them hard the first five minutes (of the second half,)” coach Doug Collins said. Utah hopes to avoid starting 0-3 for the first time since the 1979-80 season. First, the Jazz must be competitive late in the game. Utah has been routed by the Los Angeles Lakers (96-71) and Denver (117-100), with both games on the road.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, CS Philadelphia, ROOT Sports (Utah)
ABOUT THE 76ERS (1-1): Collins has to be particularly happy with the production he is getting from center Spencer Hawes, who just missed a triple-double in the opener with 10 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. He had 11 rebounds and nine points against Phoenix. “He was incredibly committed in the off-season," Collins said. “He's so much leaner and so much more fit (than a year ago). This is a kid who has great confidence in himself.”
ABOUT THE JAZZ (0-2): Utah was hoping to avoid a poor start this season after a tumultuous 2010-11, but after two lopsided losses, it seems the Jazz still have problems, especially on defense. Coach Tyrone Corbin said Wednesday’s effort at Denver was uninspiring at best. “We have to get back together and continue to work and fight,” Corbin said. “We’ve got to learn to trust each other on the defensive end of the floor and get it figured out.”
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Utah is 27-14 at home all-time against Philadelphia.
2. Utah ranks 29th of 30 teams in points allowed (106.5)
3. Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala averaged 22.5 points and shot 61.5 percent in two games against Utah last season.