The 76ers are developing a bad habit that they have to shake if they want to be a factor in the Eastern Conference -- or even make the playoffs. They tend to stop working hard on the defensive end when they struggle to score.
The latest example came in Sunday's 103-92 home loss to the Bulls. The Sixers led by 15 points early in the second quarter, only to allow a 59-25 Chicago run that blew the game open. "If one thing can be a constant, it has to be at the defensive end," said Andre Iguodala. "Your shot's not always going to go in, but you can always be on point at the defensive end of the court."
The Sixers even had a team meeting during Saturday's practice, which came after a 24-point loss to the Celtics in Boston. They decided they had to defend to win. Although they said it, the Sixers didn't do it for nearly long enough against the Bulls.
"I thought we let our defense dictate our offense," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks. "Our defense early was great, then they started making a few baskets and our intensity dropped. We stayed on our heels after that."
The Sixers' steals are down from a year ago, which is producing fewer fast-break opportunities and more half-court opportunities that the Sixers aren't converting. You can almost see the Sixers' shoulders sag once they go through an offensive dry spell and the opponent knocks down a few shots. That has to change -- and soon.
"We can continue to sulk and stay that way or try to turn this thing around," Iguodala said. "We're just trying to get through it."
BULLS 103, SIXERS 92: The Sixers started the game shooting 15-for-25 (.600) from the floor, only to go 21-of-58 (.362) the rest of the way in losing their fourth in a row. The Bulls went from 9-for-24 (.375) to 29-for-49 (.592) over the final 33 1/2 minutes. Chicago, which shot 8-of-15 (.533) on 3-pointers in the game, hammered the Sixers 31-11 in the third quarter and had three players who scored at least 16 points.
