"We've got a lot of stuff that we've got to do," Collins said. "There's situational situations that we haven't had a chance to do, last-second plays. [Sunday], Boston went to zone on two possessions. We hadn't even practiced against any zone, and Maalik [Wayns] hit a three and Nick [Young] hit a three, and we didn't see any more zone. It's amazing what shooting does on the floor. But we need to continue to just work on those late-game situations, managing the clock, up three or four with 2 minutes to go and what you're going to do. Especially us getting into the halfcourt, that's what I've really got to figure out, what we're going to be able to do in the halfcourt game.
"I give the guys a ton of credit, because they've been very committed to coming together as quickly as they possibly can. We've got a lot of new guys and sometimes that's very, very difficult to do. We've shown some good things. I think the thing that I'm happiest about is the guys generally like each other. They enjoy playing as a team. The ball really moves, they have a very unselfish nature, and they're very fun to coach.
"I'm a little concerned about our front line, the depth. Arnett [Moultrie], I don't want to have to throw him out there too early. Lavoy [Allen], I think he's coming around. Thad [Young] and Spencer [Hawes], I like where those guys are. I'm concerned about the depth with Kwame [Brown] and Andrew [Bynum]. I think guys are settling in to what they can do, I feel good about that. But I don't think a coach is ever comfortable at this point in time. You lay there in bed just thinking about what you can do better to help your team."
Game stuff
While the 76ers were the home team in honor of the franchise moving to Philadelphia from Syracuse 50 years ago, it really was a homecoming for the Knicks' Carmelo Anthony, who won an NCAA title during his only year in college. Still, the Sixers managed to ruin the homecoming, as Jason Richardson scored 23 points, draining six of 12 three-pointers, grabbed seven rebounds and dealt six assists. Thaddeus Young contributed 22 points, while Royal Ivey and Damien Wilkins had 12 each, and Lavoy Allen had a game-high 13 rebounds.
Anthony didn't disappoint his many fans, who included former coach Jim Boeheim, as he went for 23 points, six rebounds and five assists in 35 minutes.
Carrier Dome memories
Courtney Witte, the Sixers' director of player personnel, doesn't have the best of memories when it comes to the Carrier Dome. Playing for Bobby Knight at Indiana in the 1986 NCAA Tournament, Witte's third-ranked Hoosiers were upset by No. 14 Cleveland State in an NCAA Tournament opening-round game, 83-79. Witte cringed as he recalled the game, which featured stellar play from Cleveland State's Mouse McFadden.
Sixers guard Maalik Wayns has better memories of his trips to Syracuse as a member of the Villanova Wildcats.
"My sophomore year, we came up here, both teams were ranked in the top five, and we beat them," he said. "I had a bunch of threes and played pretty well. I like this place. I know some people complain about the depth perception when shooting, but I'm not a shooter, I take the ball to the rim, so it never bothered me."
Shorthanded
It was decided a few days ago that Jrue Holiday would have the night off, but the Sixers also were missing Dorell Wright, who was kneed in the thigh in Boston on Sunday, and Evan Turner, who rolled an ankle against the Celtics. Neither of those injuries appears to be serious. Kwame Brown remained out with a strained calf.
There was no update on Andrew Bynum, who was back in Philadelphia, recovering from knee trouble.
Wayns had to leave in the second quarter after getting hit in the head. He did not return.
Six shots
The team was scheduled to have off Tuesday and the tentative schedule has the Sixers practicing for 3 days, off Saturday, then three more practices before opening the season . . . The Sixers started Damien Wilkins, Thaddeus Young, Lavoy Allen, Royal Ivey and Jason Richardson . . . As the first half ended, the game ball made its way toward the Sixers' bench. Doug Collins grabbed it and took an 18-foot shot off one foot that hit nothing but net.
Contact Bob Cooney at cooneyb@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobCooney76.
