Sixers Notes | OT loss may be tough to forget

The Sixers suffered one of their most frustrating defeats Saturday, a 94-92 overtime loss in New Jersey after they owned an 18-point lead in the third quarter.

All season, the Sixers have talked about putting a tough loss behind, but one had to wonder if that defeat had a residual effect when they took the court last night.

The Sixers had one of their flattest efforts in an 88-79 loss to the Atlanta Hawks at the Wachovia Center.

"I wouldn't say it's a letdown; it's just that Atlanta came in and kicked our butts, plain and simple," said guard

Willie Green,

who scored a game-high 23 points. "I can't say it's all us because they came in and did the necessary things to win."

The Sixers obviously didn't do their part.

"We know what we are capable of, but weren't able to do it tonight," Green said.

Rodney Carney

admitted he was scared after suffering a fall during the second quarter of the loss to the Nets on Saturday. The second-year 76ers swingman suffered a bruised left (non-shooting) hand and eventually returned to the game.

"I fell on it and I rolled in an awkward position, and I got it stepped on too," Carney said before last night's game. "I put my weight on it in awkward position and sprained the joints."

Carney says his hand is still sore, but it has not affected his dribbling or shooting. He did not play last night.

The Hawks are now 7-9. Coach

Mike Woodson,

in his fourth season, entered the year with a 69-177 mark.

That hasn't stopped Woodson from putting the heat on himself and the team.

"We have come a long way, beaten some good teams and have been in a lot of games, but the bottom line is that we have to make the playoffs," Woodson, a former Sixers assistant, said.

Sixers forwards

Reggie Evans

and

Louis Amundson

will visit Children's Hospital of Philadelphia this afternoon along with the Sixers dancers.

The group will hand out gifts and play games with the children.

Hawks center

Zaza Pachulia

did not return last night after being hit in the chin by an inadvertent forearm from

Samuel Dalembert

in the first quarter.

A Hawks official said Pachulia did not have a concussion but was suffering from a headache and could not return.

- Marc Narducci