SIXERS NEWS

After an encouraging win over the Bulls last night the Sixers returned to the Wachovia center tonight for their home opener against the New Jersey Nets. Thanks to a triple double by Jason Kidd and a game high 20 points from Richard Jefferson the Nets pulled out the win, despite another gritty performance from the Sixers. Offensively, 6 Sixers(Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver, Louis Williams, and Rodney Carney) scored in double figures. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert piled up 4 blocks and 9 rebounds, Reggie Evans racked up 11 more rebounds, and Kyle Korver, yes Kyle Korver capped off a double double with 11 rebounds of his own. However, it was all not enough tonight. The Sixers led early 19-17 after the 1st period. The Nets rallied ahead in the 2nd period, taking a 38-34 lead into the half. New Jersey increased their lead to 67-57 after the 3rd period. In the 4th period the Sixers rallied to twice cut the Nets lead down to 2 , but threes, first by Bostjan Nachbar and then by Kidd helped the Nets stay ahead. Andre Iguodala hit a three pointer of his own, to help the Sixers get back to within 3 with 4 minutes to play. However, Dalembert missed 4 of his 8 free throws over those final 4 minutes and the Sixers never got any closer falling to the Nets 93-88. So the Sixers drop to 1-2 overall, but you have to like how they go out and play as hard they can every night. Eventually playing that hard consistently will pay off them.