SIXERS NEWS

After a satisfying win over the Washington Wizards in their last game, the Sixers welcomed the newly deShaqified Miami Heat to the Wachovia Center. Having won only 9 games this season and without the services of one Shaquille O'neal, the Heat figured to be easy pickings for the Sixers, but to their credit they did make a game out of it early on, but yet anothe 4th quarter surge allowed the Sixers to pull away and win easily. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures(Andre Iguodala, Willie Green, Thaddues Young, Andre Miller) with Iggy's 25 leading the way. Defensively, Reggie Evans led the way with 14 rebounds, as the Sixers owned the boards 48-38 and held Miami to under 40% shooting from the field. In the first quarter of play, the Sixers jumped out a six point lead, with the score 30-24. In the 2nd quarter, the Heat cut into the Sixer lead, and by the half it was only a 4 point game, with the score 54-50. In the 3rd quarter Miami briefly pushed a head with 16-2 run, but then the Sixers came up with a late run of their own and went back ahead 75-72. Finally, the 4th quarter belonged to the Sixers as they outscored Miami 26-12, to win easily 101-84. So the Sixers improve to 20-30, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division, just .5 games behind the Nets.