National Basketball Association

Sixers Notes: Holiday's play has fallen short

Published Oct. 13, 2010 10:12 a.m. ET

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76ers Notes The preseason play of 76ers point guard Jrue Holiday has, to put it mildly, fallen short of expectations.

The 20-year-old Holiday, who coach Doug Collins said was poised to become a top-five NBA point guard, has looked more like the college junior he technically is - he left UCLA after his freshman season - than the all-star he might become.

Entering Tuesday night's preseason game against the Boston Celtics, Holiday had committed 15 turnovers and dished out only seven assists in the team's first three exhibitions.

He was shooting only 29 percent from the field (9 for 31).

"That's what I talked to Jrue about more than anything," Collins said. "Just watching the tape, I haven't seen that high energy. That's what I need from him."

Home not sweet The Sixers finished the 2009-10 season as the only NBA team to win more games on the road than at home.

At the Wachovia Center, now known as the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers finished with a 12-29 record.

"Coach Collins is very adamant about winning home games," guard Lou Williams said. "He has a lot of passion and love for the city of Philadelphia. He feels like the way we did lose games here, we can't come out and have that same type of showing."

Out The Sixers were without center Spencer Hawes, who suffered a lower back strain in a preseason game last week. Without Hawes, Collins started a lineup of Holiday, Evan Turner, Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young, and Elton Brand.

Collins said before the game that Hawes' injury could be "tricky" but that he expects him back before the start of the regular season.

The Celtics were without superstars Shaquille O'Neal, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce. All were held out by coach Doc Rivers.

- Kate Fagan