"They kicked us pretty good, and I am sure that will be something in the back of our minds when they come in Friday," said Sixers guard Lou Williams, who scored 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, in Wednesday's 109-97 win over visiting Washington.
Among the gruesome details of that first game: Chicago shot 49 for 76 from the field (64.5 percent) and 6 for 11 (54.5 percent) from beyond the arc.
"This is a personal, competitive league," Williams said. "When things like that happen, it's embarrassing."
Earlier in the week, Sixers coach Doug Collins talked about the New Orleans Hornets' mind-set before they beat the Sixers, 84-77, on Monday in a game that ended an eight-game trip that began Dec. 18.
Collins said that assistant Aaron McKie told him the Hornets still were feeling the sting of their 88-70 loss to the Sixers on Dec. 12 at the Wells Fargo Center.
So teams can't dwell on bad performances, but it doesn't mean they forget them, either.
One Sixer who may best be able to forget the past is point guard Jrue Holiday, who had 26 points and nine assists in the win over Washington and is averaging 21.2 points on 56 percent shooting in the last six games. For Holiday, the loss to Chicago doesn't provide extra incentive.
"No, that game happened and is over with," he said. "We will come with a game plan for Chicago and try to execute it as best as possible."
At 14-21, the Sixers hold the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, percentage points ahead of Milwaukee.
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com.
