76ers Vs. Heat Final Score: Philadelphia Comes Up Just Short, 99-93, In Miami

The Philadelphia 76ers fell just short against the Miami Heat on the road Tuesday night. They took a three-point lead into halftime, but ultimately Miami proved to be too much. The Heat started the second half with a 12-1 run to take a 63-55 lead with 8:33 to go in the third quarter. The Sixers would move back to within four points, but could not regain the lead again on the night.

Evan Turner started and turned in an excellent performance, leading the team with 26 points and eight rebounds. He went 12-for-19 from the field, helping Philadelphia shoot 45.8 percent from the field on the night. Lou Williams scored 18 but was much less efficient, going 6-for-17 from the floor.

LeBron James led all scorers with 41 points, 23 of which came in the second half. He helped the Heat to a big advantage from the free throw line, going making 10-of-13 from the stripe. Miami went 26-for-32 as a team. Mario Chalmers also chipped in 19 points, seven of which came in the third quarter.

The New York Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday, and remain 2 ½ games behind the Sixers in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia fell behind another half game behind the Boston Celtics as they try to regain control of the Atlantic Division with 13 games left to play.

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76ers Schedule 2012: Philadelphia Faces Reeling Miami Heat Squad Tuesday

The Philadelphia 76ers find themselves caught on their heels a bit. They have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games, allowing the Boston Celtics to a take one-game lead in the Atlantic Division and the New York Knicks to pull within 2 ½ games in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Sixers will visit the Miami Heat on Tuesday night, in a game that could give Philadelphia a big confidence boost with the playoffs fast approaching. Luckily, the Heat are also reeling, coming off a blowout loss to the Celtics on Sunday. Miami is safely in the playoffs, and could be caught napping with a rematch with the Oklahoma City Thunder looming Wednesday.

The Toronto Raptors will visit the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday in what will hopefully be a reprieve for the Sixers coming off what will likely be an emotional game against Miami, win or lose.

Here's the complete 76ers weekday schedule with TV/Radio information:

Tuesday, 4/3: 76ers @ Heat (7:30 p.m. ET, TV/Radio: TCN-PHI/98.1 WOGL)

Wednesday, 4/4: 76ers vs. Raptors (7:30 p.m. ET, TV/Radio: CSN/94.1 WIP)

To see the full 76ers 2011-2012 schedule, click here. For more Sixers coverage, visit Liberty Ballers.

Spencer Hawes Injury: Center Progressing Well

After playing the best basketball of his career to start the 2011-12 NBA season, Spencer Hawes was limited by Achillies and back injuries, and forced to miss significant time. He returned to the Sixers lineup on March 14, but his minutes have been limited and was prohibited from playing in the second game of back-to-backs. Now, Hawes tells Dei Lynam, there's no more back-to-back restrictions and his minute-cap "hopefully will be lifted soon".

Via CSN Philly:

Coach Doug Collins said, "I'd like to keep [Spencer's] minutes where they are". Hawes has averaged a little over 23 minutes since returning from injury. During that time he's scoring nine points per game, to go along with six rebounds, two assists and under a block per game.

The biggest difference between Hawes' game from the beginning of the season till now, is he's shooting 10 percent lower from the field than he did prior to going down.

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76ers Vs. Wizards Preview: Sixers Cling To Division Lead

The Sixers host the Wizards on Friday, as they look to stay atop the Atlantic Division.

76ers Schedule 2012: Sixers Travel To Washington Before Hosting The Hawks

The Philadelphia 76ers are hanging on to the Atlantic Division lead for dear life. At 28-22 the Sixers currently sit atop the division because they own the tiebreaker with the second place Boston Celtics. However; a loss Friday night, paired with a Celtics win, would drop the Sixers to second place and from the four seed to the seven seed in the Eastern Conference Standings. The difference between a four and a seven seed: playing the Pacers and playing the Heat in the first round. The Sixers need the four seed if they want any chance of advancing past the first round.

The second worst team in the league, the Washington Wizards, will host the Sixers on Friday night – they've lost five straight. The Sixers will host the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday, who are one full game ahead of them in the standings.

For more on the 76ers, be sure to check out our blog Liberty Ballers and SB Nation Philly for all your latest news, notes and updates.

76ers Schedule 2012: Cleveland And Atlanta Come To Philly This Week

The Philadelphia 76ers haven't been the same over the past month and a half.

Doug Collins had his team playing wonderful basketball for much of December through mid-February, but the wheels have started to come off. Philly has lost 13 of its previous 19 contests and seen its lead in the Atlantic Division shrink to just half a game over Boston and three on New York.

With a light schedule this week, the 76ers have to regroup and get a couple of victories. All is certainly not lost for one of the most balanced and technically sound teams in the NBA. However, the time is now to get things back on track for the stretch run.

Tuesday, March 27th: Philadelphia vs Cleveland 7:00 p.m. ET on COMCAST

The Cavaliers make their only visit to the Wells Fargo Center all year this week. Cleveland (17-29) is certainly improved with rookie sensation Kyrie Irving but far from a contender, which makes this game an absolute must-have for Elton Brand and company.

Friday, March 30th: Philadelphia at Washington 7:00 p.m. ET on COMCAST

This is another game the 76ers need to put in the win column. John Wall and the Wizards (11-37) are suffering through another rough season and don't have much to play for. With the schedule tough in April, these opportunities will be rare.

Saturday, March 31st: Philadelphia vs Atlanta 7:30 p.m. ET COMCAST

The Hawks are a legitimate team and tough to play against with their unique blend of size and athleticism. Atlanta (30-20) will be looking for a measure of revenge after losing the first two games between the two this season.

For more on the 76ers, be sure to check out our blog Liberty Ballers and SB Nation Philly for all your latest news, notes and updates.

76ers Vs. Warriors Preview: Sixers Need A Win On 'Wilt Night'

The Philadelphia 76ers will face the Golden State Warriors on the 50th anniversary of Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game.

76ers Schedule 2012: 'Wilt Night' And Re-Match With The Chicago Bulls

The Philadelphia 76ers are in the midst of a terrible stretch of basketball, losing six of their last seven games and failing to score 100 points since a January 23 win over the Washington Wizards. This weekend they will look to bounce back with two home games, beginning against the Warriors on Friday night.

Friday's game against the Warriors will be televised on ESPN – deemed "Wilt Night" on the 50 year anniversary of Wilt's 100 point game. To commemorate the night in history, every fan in attendance will receive a 2"x2" piece of the actual court Chamberlain dropped a hundo on.

The Sixers play again on ESPN, Sunday night, when they host the Chicago Bulls. The two teams met a month ago, on February 1, when the Sixers impressively won by 16 points. The Bulls currently have the second best record in the Eastern Conference.

For more on the 76ers, head over to the SB Nation blog Liberty Ballers.

76ers Schedule 2012: Philadelphia Visits Detroit Tuesday On 5-Game Losing Streak

The Philadelphia 76ers have hit the skids, losing their last five games. They seemed primed to run away with the Atlantic Division, but their recent losing streak, coupled with a bit of Linsanity, have the Sixers just 3.5 games ahead of the New York Knicks after the All-Star break.

Philadelphia will face a Detroit Pistons squad on Tuesday that had a bit of success in February, but is still a 11-24 squad with a lot of youth. If they don't win, the Sixers will have to beat either the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, or the Chicago Bulls on Friday to end their schneid. Neither game will be easy by any stretch, but at least both games will be played at the Wells Fargo Center.

Here's the complete 76ers weekday schedule with TV/Radio information:

Tuesday, 2/28: 76ers @ Pistons (7:30 p.m. ET, TV/Radio: CSN/94WIP)

Wednesday, 2/29: 76ers vs. Thunder (7:00 p.m. ET, TV/Radio: CSN/ESPN/94WIP)

Friday, 3/2: 76ers vs. Bulls (8:00 p.m. ET, TV/Radio: CSN/ESPN/94WIP)

For more on the 76ers, head over to the SB Nation blog Liberty Ballers.

76ers Schedule 2012: Sixers Play Pair Of Western Conference Opponents

With the NBA All-Star break rapidly approaching, the Philadelphia 76ers play a pair of pivotal weekend games, starting with a home game against the defending-champion Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

The Sixers have lost three straight home games and have just one win at the Wells Fargo Center in February. They'll look to end that streak on Friday night, but will have to do so without the services of their starting center, Spencer Hawes. Hawes, who averages a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game, will be out until after the All-Star break.

The Mavs come to town winners of five straight games, and are starting to regain the form that carried them to the franchise's first championship last season. They too will be without important roster pieces, as both Jason Terry and Delonte West -- key guards off the bench for Dallas -- will miss Friday's game with injuries.

On Sunday, the Sixers will travel to Minnesota to take on Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio and the Timberwolves. It'll be Philly's only chance to see the 'Wolves this season, as the truncated NBA season has eliminated multiple out-of-conference games.

Love has established himself as a premier NBA power forward, and will play in his second All-Star game next weekend, while Rubio headlines the rosters for the Rising Stars game, to be played next Friday in Orlando.

The Sixers head into the weekend in good shape in the Atlantic Division, up four and a half games over the fading Boston Celtics. The New York Knicks, however, are surging behind the play of point guard revelation Jeremy Lin, and have won seven straight games to get back within five games of Philadelphia.

After Sunday, the Sixers will play two more road games prior to the All-Star festivities.

For all of your latest 76ers news and information, head over to Liberty Ballers, and for all of you NBA coverage, check out SB Nation's NBA home.

76ers Schedule 2012: Philadelphia Weclomes Orlando, Chicago And Miami To Town

It's going to be a very nice litmus test this week for the Philadelphia 76ers. Doug Collins' crew is getting ready to finish up their current seven game home stand, which they're 3-1 on so far. The road gets significantly tougher this week, when the Magic, Bulls and Heat all come to the Wells Fargo Center in succession.

On Monday, Orlando comes to town after being pounded by New Orleans 93-67. Dwight Howard lambasted his team which should provide some motivation going into the tilt. The 76ers will have to be ready against a ticked off and talented Magic squad.

Wednesday brings Chicago into the city of brotherly love. Derrick Rose leads his team in with the best record in the East, currently sitting at 17-5. Known for their defense, it will be a battle to score between these two formidable foes. The Bulls are one of the best teams at taking away a star player, but Philadelphia employs great balance. It should be interesting to see how it plays out.

Come Friday, the Heat will be making their first or two trips into Philly. Miami has been as good as expected early on, posting the second best record in the conference. LeBron James leads his team with 29.5 points per game, second only to the ageless Kobe Bryant. The 76ers will need all hands on deck to slow down Eric Spolstra's high-flying circus, including Chris Bosh who lit them up for 30 points back on Jan. 21.

Finally on Saturday, Philadelphia will take a trip to Atlanta to visit Joe Johnson and the Hawks. Just over a week ago, the 76ers took care of business at home against Atlanta 90-76, with Thaddeus Young scoring 20 points and Elton Brand cleaning the glass with 16 rebounds. They'll need similar efforts to beat the Hawks again, who come into the week only a half game behind the Heat in the Southeast.

For more 76ers coverage, be sure to check out Liberty Ballers.

76ers Schedule 2012: Sixers Host Hawks Before Traveling to Miami

Coming off their fourth loss of the season the first place Philadelphia 76ers look to bounce back this weekend when they host the Atlanta Hawks Friday before traveling to Miami to play LeBron James and the Heat on Saturday.

Up to this point in the season the Sixers have had the second easiest schedule in the NBA, playing teams with a combined winning percentage of .392. They will be tested this weekend against the Hawks and Heat, who have a combined winning percentage of .724.

Playing without their All-Star power forward, the Atlanta Hawks have won seven of their last eight games and bring a four game winning streak into Philadelphia on Friday night. They last played Wednesday when the defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 92-89 in Atlanta.

The Heat have also been playing without one of their best players – Dwyane Wade has missed the last two games with an ankle injury – but have won two straight behind the stellar play of LeBron James. They easily defeated Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

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76ers Vs. Nuggets: Philadelphia Loses First Home Game, 108-104, In Overtime

The visiting Denver Nuggets scored 12 points in overtime to beat the streaking 76ers on Wednesday night. An Andre Miller jump shot with 45 second left in the extra frame put the Nuggets on top for a 108-104 win at the Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia had no answer for Miller who scored 28 points off the bench, including their last ten points in regulation to send the game into overtime where he hit the game-winner. Nene had 20 points and 14 rebounds for Denver. They were two of five Nuggets to score in double figures for the game.

Related: This week's NBA Power Rankings

Thaddeus Young led the 76ers with 22 points off the bench. Evan Turner had 20 points along with a team-best 11 rebounds. Lou Williams, who lead the team with an average of 16.2 points per game, was held to just 10 against Denver.

This was the first home loss in seven games for the 76ers, who still own a four-game lead over the New York Knicks in the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Friday, followed by a road trip to Miami on Saturday.

For more 76ers coverage, visit Liberty Ballers. For more Nuggets coverage, visit Denver Stiffs. Head over to SB Nation's NBA page for complete league coverage.

Spencer Hawes Injury: Sixers Center Will Miss Nuggets Game With Strained Achilles

The Philadelphia 76ers will be without center Spencer Hawes when they take on the Denver Nuggets tonight at 7 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Center. Hawes has a strained left Achilles tendon.

Sixers' forward Elton Brand said about Hawes

"We are going to need a big contribution, no pun intended, from the bigs," Elton Brand said before Hawes was declared out. "If Spencer can't go, the rookie (Nik Vucevic) is going to have to step up. Tony Battie will have to step up and myself, of course." (via CSN Philly)

Denver has a pretty sizable front line with the following players: Danilo Gallinari (6-10), Nene Hilario (6-11) and Timofey Mozgov (7-1).

Hawes has averaged 10.4 points per game and 8.8 rebounds per game this season for Philadelphia.

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76ers Vs Nuggets: Sixers Get A Big Test As Playoff Bound Nuggets Come To Town

The 76ers look to keep their hot start going against the visiting Denver Nuggets.