2008-09 News and Features

Speights to make first NBA start

Tonight, rookie Marreese Speights will make his first career NBA start in place of the injured Elton Brand when the 76ers take on the Pistons tonight at 8PM at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet.

The move comes as a result of a right hamstring injury Brand suffered during the Lakers game on Wednesday night. Brand is currently listed as day-to-day and did not make the trip with the team to Detroit. His status for tomorrow night's game against New Jersey has yet to be determined.

Speights comes into the game averaging 6.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.59 blocks in 13 minutes per game this year. He played a career-high 26 minutes a - part of which came down the stretch and in overtime - and tied a career-high with five field goals made in the Sixers win at Chicago on December 2.

Coach Cheeks said following shootaround that Speights will not be asked to replace Brand, but to go in and play his own game.

When Speights was asked whether he sees himself as more of a four (power forward) or a five (center), Speights replied that he sees himself "wherever Coach wants me."

Tonight's projected starting line-up will be Dalembert, Speights, Young, Iguodala and Miller. Both Donyell Marshall and Theo Ratliff will be active for tonight's game.