76ers Notes
MINNEAPOLIS - Despite dealing with relief efforts after last week's devastating earthquake in his native Haiti, 76ers center Samuel Dalembert continued his strong play yesterday afternoon.In a 108-103 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Dalembert played 35 minutes, scored 12 points on 6-for-9 shooting and grabbed 10 rebounds.
In his last 13 games, Dalembert is shooting 60 for 85 from the floor.
About an hour before yesterday's afternoon tip-off, Dalembert looked worn from what has been a chaotic and demanding stretch.
"It did hit me. I'm taking a lot of energy," Dalembert said. "[On Sunday night], my teammates tried to cheer me up. They take me to eat. Get me back because they know I'm always that happy Sam. . . . I know I cannot save the whole country. If I could, that's what I'd love to do."
The team said last night that Dalembert had been excused from today's practice so he could travel to Haiti with a group from Project Medishare. He is expected to return for tomorrow's home game against Portland.
"I'm going to make a few trips, going to try to coordinate it, so I don't let my teammates down," Dalembert said.
"Usually he's a little bit jumping around and having fun. Now he's serious," head coach Eddie Jordan said of the shift in Dalembert's demeanor. "He's still focused on practices and games. He's just not that happy-go-lucky. I don't think he is. At least I don't see it as much as before it happened."
No Love
Minnesota power forward Kevin Love did not play yesterday because of an upper-respiratory infection. This season, Love is averaging 15.2 points and 12.3 rebounds a game.
Iverson a go
Sixers point guard Allen Iverson, who did not practice on Sunday because of a stomach virus, started yesterday's game. Iverson played 34 minutes, scoring 11 points and collecting nine assists.
DNP
Sixers forward Jason Kapono and big man Jason Smith each received DNPs yesterday - did not play - marking the sixth game in a row when Jordan decided against using either player.
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