Hawes back against Hawks, Brand inactive

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ATLANTAAfter missing 10 straight games, Spencer Hawes declared himself ready to play on Saturday night against the Hawks at Philips Arena.

Im in, Hawes said. Im gonna go.

The Sixers starting center has not appeared in a game since Jan. 16, when he scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 33 minutes against Milwaukee. In Saturday nights game, Hawes says he will try a different pair of shoes (style, not model) though admits that might just be mental.

It was during that game against Milwaukee where Hawes strained his Achilles tendon, something he thought was related to the lower back strain that sidelined him against the Knicks on Jan. 11.

I think its pretty much there, Hawes said about his Achilles. Well see how it is during the game, but I think that will distract me enough so I wont notice the minor stuff. There is only one way to find out.

Earlier this week, coach Doug Collins pointed out what Hawes brings to the Sixers offense.

One of the things that blew me away the other night is how different of an offensive team we are without Spencer Hawes, Collins explained. With him on the floor, we average 102 a night. Without him, we average 90. If you look at our top three scorers, what theyre shooting with him on the floorAndre Iguodala, Lou Williams and Jrue Holidayand what theyre shooting with him not on the floor, I think theyre averaging 11 less points a game because of how ball friendly he is, and moving, and how he helps create shots.

Hawes could not have picked a better day to return to the lineup, too. With Elton Brand inactive for Saturdays game with an injured thumb, the Sixers will need plenty of help up front. With Brand out, rookie Lavoy Allen will make his first NBA start, coincidentally, on his 23rd birthday.

Allen, the Pennsbury High and Temple University grad has been the Sixers most pleasant surprise as of late. A DNP-CD in his first five games, and then in seven of the next eight games, Collins cant keep the unassuming second-round rookie off the floor anymore. After all, he scored a career-high 15 points in 26 minutes in last Wednesdays victory over the Bulls, and followed that up with eight points and five rebounds in Friday nights loss to the Heat.

In his last seven games, Allen has averaged 7.7 points and 5 rebounds per game.

Hes a lot more skilled than I thought he was, Hawes said. His ability to pass and his poise for a rookie is great. He catches it and doesnt let the game speed him up. He makes reads and most of the time its the right one. Youve seen some of the guys hes gone up against the last couple of nights and hes as strong as any of them.

Brand injured his thumb during the early part of Friday nights loss to the Heat at the Center when Collins says he got his thumb caught in another players jersey. It seemed that the bum thumb had an effect on the game, too, considering Brand shot 0 for 3 from the field and did not score a point in 23 minutes of action.

In 13 seasons, it was just the fifth scoreless game of Brands career.

Hes struggling, Collins said. When you play against a team like the Miami Heat who are very good defensively, youve got to be able to make some of those little jump shots.Hes just not consistently making that shot for us this year like he did last year and we miss that.

Brands shooting woes could be chalked up to the compressed NBA schedule this season. Collins says Brand is fit, but just hasnt been able to recover from game to game as quickly as he used to.

I think he came into camp in great shape, Collins said. If anything, its the compacted schedule. Theres no time to rest. Thats the wear and tear. Eltons in great shape.

Brand will get an extra day of rest on Saturday with a day off Sunday before the Lakers come to town on Monday night. The rest, more than anything, should help Brand.

E-mail John Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com

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