Sixers stumble late again in road loss to Bucks

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MILWAUKEE -- There is no maybe about it. The Sixers have lost their way.
They started the season 20-9. Since then, they have two wins and eight defeats, including Mondays 97-93 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks at the Bradley Center (see Instant Replay).The final scoreboard indicated that it was a close game, which was miraculous given the Sixers 13-49 shooting in the second half.I just dont know what has happened to the point we just cant make a shot, Doug Collins said. I mean as a coach you cant dwell on that. I did think we played fatigued, but the turning point was the start of the third quarter. We had a chance to go up 12, 15 points on them but we missed free throws, missed layups and turned the ball over.
The Sixers shot 7 for 25 in the third quarter and committed five of their 12 turnovers. As a result, Milwaukee led by three heading into the fourth. The Bucks lead grew to 11 before the Sixers battled back to tie the game at 93-93.

Lou Williams scored eight consecutive points for the Sixers to make that score possible with a minute and change left.

That stretch from Williams was overshadowed by the Sixers final possession. After Milwaukee went up two with 58 seconds remaining, the Sixers again could not convert in the clutch.
Williams had had 17 seconds to work with on the shot clock. The other four guys spread the floor and he was isolated against Brandon Jennings who was brilliant at the other end of the floor with 33 points.This time it was a Williams floater in the paint that rattled off the rim. Milwaukee got the ensuing rebound and the Sixers fouled Ersan Ilyasova with five seconds left.We always fight. We always find ways to fight our way back into the game, Williams said. When it comes down to that last minute or two minutes, we cant get over that hump. I cant pinpoint why its happening, I just know it is. It is a hump we have to get over in order for us to get back on the winning track.
We just have to win them, Andre Iguodala said. Then, we wouldnt have to hear about it. We have to grow and execute better at both ends of the floor.It has been the story of our season. We have not been able to get that critical basket or the critical stop, Collins said. I think we are 0-for-the-season in games decided by five points or less.
The Sixers are 0-7 in games decided by four points or fewer and 2-12 in games decided by seven or less.Collins made a surprising decision inserting Evan Turner and Nik Vucevic into the starting lineup (see story). For Vucevic it was his sixth start, while Turner made his first of this season and 15th of his two-year career.I wanted to calm Jodie (Meeks) down a little bit, Collins said. I think he has been pressing and tonight he made his first four shots.Three of those first four shots from Meeks were three-pointers. Prior to Monday, he had made just eight of his last 37 from long range.Evan rebounded, but he is not sharp. His shooting was 1 for 12 Collins said when talking about the results of his lineup change.
We just cant make shots right now, Turner said. We just have to keep moving on and keep working. I will be in the gym tomorrow and hopefully get a little love from the basketball gods.
If you look at the shots we take they look like good shots. They look like they are going in and they just miss.It remains to be seen if the lineup switch is a long-term decision or just a shakeup during desperate times.I thought I did a pretty good job in the starting position, but if Coach Collins says this is what he wants me to do I will do whatever he asks, Meeks said. Tonight, I felt good and looking forward I hope I can continue to do that.Mondays loss wrapped up a stretch of five games in seven days for the Sixers. Now, they wait until Wednesday when they will face Atlantic Division foe Boston for the first time this season.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.

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