Sixers shorthanded tonight against Bucks, resting players for playoffs
Elton Brand, Thaddeus Young and Andre Iguodala all stayed behind in Philadelphia and Lou Williams won't play tonight in Milwaukee against the Bucks.
The playoff spot is clinched (though the opponent is still undetermined) so coach Doug Collins has decided to give some of his regulars a rest.
Tonight's game in Milwaukee and tomorrow's season finale pretty much have no meaning for the Sixers so Thaddeus Young, Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand stayed behind in Philadelphia to rest for the playoffs and Lou Williams will not play tonight against the Bucks. Collins also said that Jrue Holiday will sit out tomorrow night.
The Sixers are currently tied for the 7th spot in the Eastern Conference with the Knicks, but New York owns the tiebreaker over the Sixers as they won two of the three meetings between the clubs this season. New York hosts the Clippers tonight and then travels to Charlotte on Thursday.
Collins said he will start Holiday, Jodie Meeks, Evan Turner, Lavoy Allen and Spencer Hawes. Recently, Hawes has been coming off the bench in favor of rookie Nikola Vucevic. But Vucevic hasn't been playing well of late, with Allen getting most of the minutes and Hawes in the middle.
I asked Collins if not starting Vucevic tonight meant he won't be starting him in the playoffs. Collins affirmed Vucevic will not be starting in the playoffs and that the starting center spot will be between Hawes and Allen.
Collins likes the way Hawes plays with the second unit that includes Young, Williams and Turner, so there is a good possibility that Allen may be the starter. Collins also said that if the team should wind up in a playoff matchup with the Bulls, the team needs to rebound. That is something Vucevic hasn't been doing well lately.