The New Orleans Hornets have gotten off to a solid start this season, winning two of their first three games before facing off against the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
The team is coming off of an 89-82 win against the Chicago Bulls and have won two games in a row. The Hornets have been dealing with a range of injuries, including to No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis, who will miss his second straight game.
Davis sustained a concussion in Friday's 88-86 win against Utah after accidentally hitting the elbow of teammate Austin Rivers. Following the game, coach Monty Williams criticized the NBA's concussion policy.
"Now, they treat everybody like they have white gloves and pink drawers and it's getting old. It's just the way the league is now," Williams said to the Associated Press.
He was fined $25,000 by the league on Tuesday for his comments, which he made prior to Saturday's game against the Bulls.
Although Davis missed the game, the Hornets beat the Bulls to improve to 2-1 on the year.
"That's the big thing about a team game," center Robin Lopez said. "Everybody came together and everybody stepped it up."
Davis and Rivers will both miss the game on Wednesday against Philadelphia, leaving the Hornets without its top two draft picks.
The 76ers had a surprising season last year, making it to the playoffs and winning a first round series against the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. It was only the fifth time in NBA history that an eight seed has beaten a one seed.
The team returned many of its young talented players, but has gotten off to a slow start this season, losing two of its first three games.
Philadelphia beat the Denver Nuggets to open the season, but have dropped two straight to the New York Knicks, including a defeat at home on Monday 110-88.
The team is averaging only 85 points per game and shot poorly against the Knicks in both games. Jrue Holiday led the team with 17 points and has been the most consistent starter for the team this year. He leads the team with 19 points per game and has an impressive 8.7 assists per game.
"Points aren't easy to come by and you have to be on the same page," center Spencer Hawes said.
The team has a new look from last season after taking part in the blockbuster trade for Dwight Howard and acquiring talented center Andrew Bynum. He has not yet played for the team this season and is out indefinitely with knee issues.
"We haven't played together, so we're trying to learn how to trust each other," coach Doug Collins said. "We're trying to grow and win at the same time while battling some injuries. We've had a little adversity here."
Philadelphia has played well on defense, allowing only 95 points per game. The team has also consistently rebounded the ball well, averaging the fourth best total in the league.
The team has played well against the Hornets recently, winning four of the past five games, including last January in New Orleans.
According to the Associated Press: "The 76ers have won two of their past three road games against the Hornets after losing five of the previous six. This contest marks the third consecutive time Philadelphia has traveled to New Orleans during the series."
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