PHILADELPHIA – Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle knows exactly how the Philadelphia 76ers are staying afloat without injured center Andrew Bynum.
It’s because of Sixers coach Doug Collins, he pointed out.
“Doug Collins, year-in and year-out, you can put him as a Coach of the Year candidate virtually every year,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s that good of a coach.’’
Carlisle will try to out-coach Collins tonight at 6 when the Mavs (7-7) square off against the Sixers (8-6) at Wells Fargo Arena.
Even without Bynum, Carlisle knows Collins has a lot of quick and athletic players at his disposal. That includes point guard, Jrue Holiday, who had 33 points and 13 assists during Sunday’s 104-101 win over the Phoenix Suns.
“Holiday is one of those guys who’s going to be an All-Star in this league and he certainly played like an All-Star (Sunday) night,’’ Carlisle said. “He’s probably their best overall player right now that’s available.’’
The Mavs also have to keep a body on forwards Thaddeus Young and Evan Turner. Young averages 13.6 points and 7.9 rebounds, while Turner averages 12.9 points and 7.4 rebounds.
“They’ve got a lot of dangerous guys,’’ Carlisle said. “They’re playing small a lot and shooting the three well, and they’re an energetic team.
“It’s a challenging game on a lot of levels and they always play hard. So we’re going to have to be ready.’’
Bynum, by the way, is out indefinitely after suffering a bone bruise in both of his knees.
-- Dwain Price
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