Sixers' rally falls short in season-opening loss

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PORTLAND, Ore.There are days at the Jersey Shore in the summer where you can look out at the ocean and all you see is choppy waters replacing what is usually the peaceful ebb and flow of the tides.

The Sixers play was like that Monday night against the Trail Blazers, leading to a 107-103 defeat (see game breakdown). They were slow to get started, making just one of their first eight field goal attempts.

They were sloppy with the basketball, in part because of their doing and in part because of the active Portland defense that, as Doug Collins had warned, likes to be disruptive.

A year ago, the Sixers led the league in fewest turnovers with 13 per game. In their season opener they had 20 turnovers, leading to 28 Portland points. With the length of Portlands front line of Gerald Wallace, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Marcus Camby, rebounding was going to be a necessity. Instead, the Sixers allowed 17 offensive rebounds.

That they came from 15 down midway through the fourth quarter to make it a two-point game in the closing minute was commendable, but errors and second chances ultimately gave them their first loss of the season.

Our competitive will kept us in the game, Doug Collins said. That Portland team is good. They have size. They have versatility. But rebounding and turnovers, that was the deal.

I had six turnovers today and those are possessions that we need, Jrue Holiday said. At the same time, they scored off of them. They got way more looks at the basket than we did so every turnover is vital.

In fact, Portland had 14 more field goal attempts than the Sixers. Both teams made 40 field goals, but still the Sixers could have used those few extra looks.

They made runs at the Blazers. They trailed by 11 after one quarter, but closed within two points in the second. Late in the third quarter, it was again a two-point game at 72-70 with 1:07 on the clock. And in the fourth quarter, they trailed by 16 with six minutes to play.

Still, they had a chance. With less than 10 seconds remaining, Andre Iguodala missed a three-pointer that would have tied the game at 106 apiece.

Lou Williams scored 13 of his 25 points in the final 12 minutes. Williams and Aldridge had 25 points for game-high honors, though Aldridge was limited to just seven points in the second half.

The Sixers had seven players finish in double figure scoring, including Spencer Hawes, who had 10 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.

He was incredibly committed in the off-season, Collins said of Hawes. This is a kid who has great confidence in himself. He signed for the qualifying offer. He said, I am going to be a free agent next year. I am going to play my tail off and see what I can do. And I respect that.

The way we play, he really thrives in it. We use our big guys with a lot of handoffs and a lot of passing. If Spencer plays sound and stays healthy he is going to have a big year.

When asked if he had ever had a triple-double at this level, Hawes said no but that he came close once in his second year in the league when he scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished nine assists against the Sixers when he was still with the Kings.

The Sixers continue their five-game road swing on Wednesday in Phoenix. Last year, they won a shootout in the valley of the sun, 123-110. It was Evan Turners coming-out party where he shot 9 of 12 and finished with 23 points.

E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.

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