They did, however, set Wachovia Center records for fewest points (the old record was 66) and most turnovers, 29 (the old record was 28).
"We had 29 turnovers and I think they scored off every one,'' the 'Cats Derek Anderson said. "When you shoot and miss, that's one thing, but when you turn over the ball the way we did and they turn around and score whenever they want to, you're putting yourself behind the eight ball.''
The Sixers, evening their record at 2-2, went past the visitors - without the injured Raymond Felton and the out-for-the-season Adam Morrison and Sean May - as if they weren't even there. And they weren't.
The 'Cats starting guards, Jason Richardson (2-for-15) and Jeff McInnis, combined to shoot 3-for-21, score six points, commit 10 turnovers and seven personal fouls. Onetime Hatboro-Horsham High star Matt Carroll led them with 16 points and had a higher total of postgame guest passes (66) for family and friends than his team scored points.
These guys couldn't even climb back into contention from the three-point line, where they were 0-for-13.
The rout was enough to open the door to rookie Thaddeus Young's debut. The No. 12 overall pick in the June draft played 11 minutes, 4 seconds, finishing with six points, three rebounds, two steals and three turnovers.
"He probably was a little nervous, as most of us who have played the game once were,'' Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. "Once he settled down, he was fine. Anxiety sets in when you walk out on the court for the first time in a meaningful NBA game.''
Not that the Sixers were about to even consider becoming over-confident. Cheeks wasn't allowing that.
"Going into the second half [with a 17-point lead], coach gave us a big speech about how we have to finish the game off,'' Rodney Carney said. "[He said] you can't just slack off and let them come back.''
