76ers try to give Collins a win vs. Hawks

The Philadelphia 76ers hope to capture their first win in the Doug Collins-era tonight when they host the Atlanta Hawks at the Wells Fargo Center.

The Sixers dropped their home opener on Wednesday when Dwyane Wade poured in a game-high 30 points, and James Jones buried six three-pointers en route to 20 points as Miami downed Philadelphia, 97-87.

Rookie Evan Turner, the second overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, scored 16 points off the bench to lead the way for the Sixers, who have dropped five straight to Miami dating back to the start of last season.

"I had some rough, rough days in the pre-season, so to have a good day is definitely a blessing," Turner said. "When you see the ball go through the rim and move the ball well, things feel good. We never stopped trying to attack."

Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young scored 15 points apiece off the bench in defeat during Collins' head coaching debut in Philadelphia.

"If our guys will give this kind of effort every night then our fans will appreciate that, and it's going to equate to some wins," Collins told the 76ers' website.

Three starters for Philadelphia, forward Jason Kapono, center Spencer Hawes and point guard Jrue Holiday, struggled mightily against Miami but Collins is uncertain if he will make any changes against Atlanta.

"My starters are not necessarily my best players, that's why I said don't get caught up in who's starting," Collins said.

The Hawks, meanwhile, took their season-opener, a 119-104 win over the Grizzlies in Memphis on Wednesday.

Joe Johnson finished with 22 points and seven assists in that one, the debut of their new head coach Larry Drew, an 18-year NBA assistant that had a two- year stint under Collins in Washington from 2001-03.

Zaza Pachulia added 17 points and 11 boards off the bench for the Hawks, who went 53-29 last season and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. However, after the Hawks were swept by the Orlando Magic, Mike Woodson was fired and Drew, the lead assistant, was tabbed as the next head coach.

Mike Bibby added 19 points and Marvin Williams netted 15 in the victory over the Grizzlies.

"One of the keys is their athleticism and the mismatches everywhere," said Memphis head coach Lionel Hollins. "You have to over-help, and when you don't overhelp they get blow-bys and cause people to help."

On the injury front for the Hawks, swingman Maurice Evans is struggling with fluid in his right knee and will miss tonight's game.

Atlanta took two of three meetings against the Sixers last season, including a 100-86 win in Philly last November.