In a stacked 13-game appetizer for tomorrow’s Super Bowl, two playoff-bound teams look to bounce back from uninspired losses when the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.
On Friday, the Sixers (16-7) fell to Miami for the second time this season, 99-79.
Philadelphia proved it can hang with big boys by beating contenders Orlando and Chicago earlier this week, but Thaddeus Young’s 18 points weren’t enough to keep up with the Heat in the Sixers’ third straight tough game.
After a successful 4-1 road trip, Atlanta – like Philly – wasn’t able to continue its winning ways with a 96-77 home loss to Memphis.
Said coach Larry Drew, “When you come off a road trip like that the tendency is to have a letdown. I was afraid it would happen. We weren’t sharp tonight.”
Philadelphia earned a 90-76 home win over Atlanta on Jan. 20 and is going for its fourth straight 
win against the Hawks.
The Sixers lead the NBA in defense (86.5 ppg) while the Hawks rank fifth (90.8).
Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson has averaged a measly 9.0 points on 11-of-30 shooting his last three games against the Sixers.
Already without All-Star center Al Horford, the Hawks also will be without his backup as Jason Collins will also be out with a sprained left elbow. Jeff Teague (sprained ankle) is questionable.