Sixers Notes: Collins facing interesting dilemma

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Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Posted: 8:10 p.m.

By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com

With 12 games to go in the season headed into Wednesday nights showdown against the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center, Sixers coach Doug Collins wants to step on the gas. Not only is a playoff berth in sight, but also, the No. 5 seed is reachable.

All the Sixers have to do is win games and they can take it.

But thats where it gets tricky. Just 3 games behind the Hawks for the No. 5 seed, Collins has to be careful that he doesnt win the battle but lose the war. With his two most valuable players nursing nagging injuries, Collins is going to have to be careful with how hard he pushes Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand.

As a result of that, expect veteran big man Tony Battie to get some minutes against the Hawks on Wednesday night and in every game down the stretch.

A veteran of a few playoff wars, Battie understands his role.

We had a little dialogue about whats going to happen down the stretch, Battie said. Collins wants to use my playoff experience going into the playoff race and we need to help the younger guys. We have a lot of younger guys who have never been to the playoffs before. I made it to the Finals with the Magic and to the conference finals with the Celtics, so whatever I can do for the young guys to make them comfortable.

Battie has played between eight and 13 minutes over the last five games (going back to March 12) after not playing at all since Feb. 9 with a wrist injury. During that stretch, Battie has grabbed 22 rebounds and scored six points in each of the last two games.

But Battie understands hes not in there to put the digits on the stat sheet. Batties task is to provide leadership and the idea that he works well on the court with Thaddeus Young allows Collins to give Brand some rest.

Tony brings a presence and he also helps stabilize Thad, Collins said. When Thad is out there with Tony and I have to rest Brand and Spencer Hawes, Thad and Tony play very well together.

On a team where six of the 12 active players have just three years of NBA experience or less, Battie says he wants his young teammates to understand what is in store for them when losses mean they are closer to elimination. The postseason is nothing at all like the regular seasons, says Battie.

These series are tough. Youre playing the same team best out of seven, they know every play and they know every call, Battie explained. Its not about what plays you run because they know every play you run. Its about getting open and cutting hard and doing all the small things to make everything click.

I tell him to stay ready. In this league its a funny business. I know its a clich, but youre always an injury from major minutes.

Iguodala and Brand back in lineup
When asked which player he could not afford to lose behind Iguodala, Collins didnt even listen to the end of the question.

Elton Brand. Hes indispensible, Collins said. He gives us a presence inside.He and Dre are our leaders.

Though he dislocated his right pinky finger twice last month, Brand hasnt missed a game and says he hasnt lost his touch around the basket. Iguodala, meanwhile, is playing through right knee tendonitis and was held out of last Saturdays game in Portland. Needless to say, the health updates of both players are going to be constants for the rest of the year.

He knows hes going to have soreness in that knee for the rest of the year, Collins said about Iguodala. Most players this time of year, either their ankles are sore or their back and knees are sore with the wear and tear. I think it was good we could get Iguodala off that leg for about four days.

For the rest of the season the Sixers play three more back-to-backs and have only two breaks between games of three days. That means Iguodala (and Brand) are going to have to take their rest when they can find it.

E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com

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