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One of the departments in which the 76ers have struggled in the preseason has been rebounding. And it didn't look as if they would fare well under the boards last night with Kenny Thomas and Derrick Coleman nursing injuries.
But enter Samuel Dalembert. The young third-year center, who continues to battle
pain in his surgically repaired left knee, stayed on the court for 41 minutes
and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds in the Sixers' 90-88 overtime loss to
the New Jersey Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena.
The 6-foot-11 Dalembert, considered the most intimidating defensive presence on the team, also blocked five shots and scored three points before fouling out with 13.6 seconds left in overtime. His contribution pleased coach Randy Ayers.
"He's still young," Ayers said. "I was glad we were able to give
him 41 minutes out there. We kept him on the floor. My concern was that he wouldn't
be able to give us back-to-back days at practice. Now I'd like to see him come
back after playing extended minutes and give us a good, solid practice"
today. Ticketmaster
"He had some energy left late in the game," Ayers said. "That's
what I was pleased with."
Before the game, Dalembert had his sore knee examined by a specialist in New
York. He said the doctor told him, "It needs some time."
Dalembert said only four months had passed since the last surgical procedure
on his knee.
"Players with similar injuries have taken at least six months, they told
me," he said. "So I have to give it some time. I'll just keep going
out there and do the best I can."
Dalembert, who sat out all of last season after playing in 34 games his rookie
year, said he was slowly coming around to being comfortable on the floor.
"I know it's unrealistic to think that overnight, things are going to come
right away," he said. "But I'll try my best and let it come."
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The Sixers trailed by 11 points early in the fourth quarter and by eight with
less than a minute and a half to play before forcing overtime. Rookie Willie
Green hit a pair of three-point baskets in the final minute, including one from
the right wing off Dalembert's only assist of the game to make it 81-81 with
three seconds left.
A three-point play by Green, who finished with 11 points, gave the Sixers an
86-83 lead midway through overtime. A follow-up basket by Sam Clancy gave them
an 88-87 advantage with 29.1 seconds remaining.
On the Nets' final possession, ex-Sixer Damone Brown made the first free throw
and missed the second, but teammate Larry Lewis grabbed the offensive rebound.
Lewis was fouled by Kyle Korver and made the winning pair of free throws with
12.3 seconds left.
The Sixers had a good look on their final possession, but John Salmons missed
a three-point try from the left corner.
Glenn Robinson, who had missed the previous two preseason games with a sore
left knee, led the Sixers with 15 points, and Allen Iverson added 13. Brown
led the Nets with 13.
Coleman, who has suffered from a strained groin muscle and participated in his
first full practice Monday at the Palestra, seemed to be moving all right, but
also seemed a bit out of shape. But he has yet to play in the preseason. Ticketmaster
"He ran up and down a little bit longer than I thought he could,"
Ayers said. "To me, I have to rely on his experience as a veteran in this
league, that he knows how to get himself ready to play."
Results of an MRI performed on Thomas showed yesterday that there was nothing
seriously wrong with what the team has called a bruised right flank.
Notes. The Sixers also played without forward Monty Williams (left-knee tendintis)
and guard Greg Buckner (left-hamstring strain). None of the five sidelined Sixers,
including center Todd MacCulloch, made the trip up the Turnpike... . The Nets
played without center Kenyon Martin (sore right ankle) and guard Jason Kidd,
who is not injured but has not played in any of the Nets' three preseason games...
. The Sixers will mark 76ers Fan Appreciation Day today with appearances at
various sites around the city, including the Philadelphia Zoo, the Reading Terminal
Market, 30th Street Station, and the corner of Ninth and Passyunk.