In the season's first 10 games, the Sixers have given up 110-plus points four times, including two of the past four outings, after it only happened nine times in 2008-09. They also have lost on all four occasions when the opponent shot 50 percent from the field.

"It's just tough when you don't defend well," swingman Andre Iguodala said. "You're not going to beat anybody. We're not too good on defense."

Dribble penetration continues to be an issue, which tends to result in easy inside buckets and uncontested 3-point shots. Even though the Jazz didn't have Deron Williams on Friday against the Sixers, rookie Eric Maynor handed out a game-best 11 assists as Utah knocked down 54.5 percent of its 3-pointers; it came into the game making 30.9 percent. Four teams have shot 50 percent or better beyond the arc against Philadelphia this season; it happened nine times in all of last year.

In Saturday's loss at Chicago, the Bulls attempted only eight 3-pointers, making three (37.5 percent).

Coach Eddie Jordan downplayed the Sixers' defensive difficulties a week ago, especially the late rotations on 3-point shots, saying four to five games wasn't a long enough time to constitute a trend. He suggested 10 games would be a better barometer, but little has changed in the interim for the 4-6 Sixers.

"We've got to start taking the passing lanes away from teams," forward Thaddeus Young said. "If you let teams do whatever they want, you're going to have a hard time winning."

BULLS 94, SIXERS 88: The Sixers started extremely well, jumping out to a 20-6 lead in Chicago. They couldn't stand prosperity, however, and trailed before the end of the opening quarter en route to a second straight defeat. The Sixers, who ended a stretch of five games in seven days with a 1-4 record, shot just 13-for-21 (.619) from the foul line and had as many turnovers as assists (18).