Meeks, Vucevic to start for Sixers vs. Nets

Share

Doug Collins is not standing pat. When the Sixers try to snap their four-game losing streak on Tuesday in New Jersey, his starting lineup will include Jodie Meeks and Nic Vucevic.
It will be Meeks' 41st start of the season and Vucevic's ninth.
Evan Turner and Spencer Hawes will come off the bench, which will be a first for Hawes this season. It is a role Turner played for 37 games before starting the last 18.
Collins had said he was going to play Turner with Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday for the remainder of the season. That was his sentiment after the Sixers beat Utah at home on March 9, improving their record to 24-17.
But the play of his team has been so poor that the head coach felt something needed to be done.
Collins doesnt just want to make the postseason. He wants to go into the playoffs playing good basketball and with confidence that is comparable to that of the Sixers team that led the Atlantic Division for 86 consecutive days.
Sitting in the tenuous eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with 10 games to play requires a change in thinking.
When Turner, Iguodala and Holiday start together it slows down the offense, which sounds like an oxymoron given that Turner is at his best in the open floor and Iguodala is on his game when in transition.
The problem is all three are waiting to get the ball in their hands. The hope had been that whomever of those three got the rebound or outlet would push the ball and the other two would get out and run.
However, we all know old habits die hard and too much standing around was taking.
The hope is that Meeks will spread the floor like he did when he started and continued to do as a reserve, while Vucevic, who appeared Sunday to have new found energy, will bring a liveliness to the front court.
Vucevic is coming off a great performance in Boston where he recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.

Contact Us