SIXERS NEWS

Ahh growing pains, that's what the Sixers experienced tonight. 23 points and 8 rebounds out of Andre Iguodala, and 20 points, including 4 threes, by Kyle Korver were not enough for the Sixers tonight in their season opener against the Raptors. Early on they were right with Toronto, trailing by only a score of 58-50 at halftime. However, with Andrea Bargnani scoring 7 points early in the 3rd quarter the Raptors surged to a 22 point lead with 6 minutes to play in the period. Somehow, with new Sixer Reggie Evans pulling down rebound after rebound, and Korver hitting threes, the Sixers were able to cut into lead and get back to within 14 (81-67) heading into the 4th quarter. There with continued dominance on the boards, they were to cut the Raptor lead all the way down to 1, and after yet another Evans rebound, they appeared poised to take the lead. However, as he was rolling in for a a go ahead layup Iguodala was stripped of ball by Raptor PG T.J Ford who took it the other way and dished it to Bargnani for a crushing 3 pointer. The Sixers never got any closer, and Toronto held on to win 106-97. You can't fault the Sixers effort in this game, but they've got bigger problems to fix than just playing harder. While the Sixers front court was strong with Iguodala and Korver scoring in the 20s, Andre Miller dropping 15, and Willie Green adding 12 points among others, the Sixers frontcourt wasn't so solid. Sure they were solid on the defensive end, with Evans ripping down 15 rebounds and Dalembert blocking 4 shots, but together they combined for just 10 points on the night. Clearly that's not going to get it done, and if the Sixers hope to win at all this season those two will have to pick up the scoring slack.