Sixers are Green with hope

But Willie Green is bound to change that statement and has in his last two games for Iverson, who is out after undergoing surgery on one of his wisdom teeth. Without A.I., who leads the team with 28.7 points a game, 76ers head coach Maurice Cheeks is left with Green to run the show.

In his first chance to show Cheeks and his teammates he can score the ball, Green posted 24 points on 10-for-21 shooting in Tuesday’s 97-87 loss to the Detroit Pistons. He then had 24 points on 10-for-23 shooting in a 98-94 setback to Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Cheeks should have known Green was capable of playing at a high level. Green was set to sign a big contract a few seasons ago until suffering a devastating knee injury while playing a pick-up basketball game. Since then he has gotten healthy and his wallet is a lot fatter.

Green will have to break out another solid performance on Friday night against Chicago, especially since the Sixers have dropped four straight and seven of their last eight games.

A big reason for the slump is the absence of Iverson, Chris Webber and Steven Hunter. Webber has missed the last three games with back problems, while Hunter has missed three straight games with a knee injury.