Die Macht » markers for how quickly things

ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Hawks no longer have to worry about being the first team to lose to the Philadelphia 76ers.The Sixers got that monkey off their back on Friday, when they beat the Indiana Pacers 109-105 in overtime. Philadelphia had started the season with seven consecutive losses. The win broke a 44-game losing streak in October and November that began on Nov. 22, 2013.Now the two Eastern Conference foes meet for the second time on Saturday at Philips Arena. Atlanta crushed Philadelphia 105-72 on Oct. 29, despite trailing 8-0. It was the worst loss of the season for the Sixers.But the Sixers (1-7) have played better lately, losing to the Pacers 122-115 in overtime on Wednesday and dropping a one-point decision to Cleveland on Nov. 5.Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia win with 25 points -- 18 in the fourth quarter and overtime -- and seven rebounds and Ersan Ilyasova and Nik Stauskas each added 14 points off the bench.It feels great to finally close a game out, Embiid said. We should be like 5-3. I want to be the best player every time I step on the court.Coach Brett Brown said, We saw the best of Joel Embiid when it mattered the most.The Hawks (6-2) havent played since their 115-107 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. Atlanta had eight players score in double figures that game, led by reserve Thabo Sefolosha with a season-high 20 points.Were still building and learning to play with one another, Sefolosha said.Dwight Howard has fit into his role with the club. No longer expected to carry a large percent of the offensive load, Howard has been able to concentrate on his defense and rim protection duties. Howard is averaging 15.9 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots. Howard has six double-doubles in eight games.Howard has helped elevate the Hawks to No. 7in the league in rebounding. Last year they were 24th.The effort by everybody to rebound has been good, but particularly in their effort on the offensive boards there is a real noticeable different, Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said.Atlanta has won the last four meetings between the two teams and has won five straight at home. Philadelphia hasnt won in Atlanta since April 5, 2013.Atlanta forward Tiago Splitter has taken a step toward rejoining the team from the right hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since training camp. Splitter has started to participate in the non-contact portion of practice.Philadelphia forward Jahlil Okafor was supposed to be inactive on Friday, part of the scheduled rest hes receiving while recovering from knee surgery. But he was pressed into action and played two minutes. Okafor is expected to start against Atlanta. Hes played seven games and is averaging 10.3 points and 3.4 rebounds.The Sixers are expected to rest Embiid on Saturday while Okafor plays. The center, who averages 17.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, is recovering from a second foot surgery.Philadelphia has struggled with injuries all season. Top draft pick Ben Simmons had foot surgery and may miss the entire season. Jerryd Bayless (sore left wrist ligament) and Nerlens Noel (left knee) are also out. Edson Alvarez Jersey . -- Matt Rupert scored once in regulation and again in the shootout as the London Knights extended their win streak to nine games by defeating the Owen Sound Attack 4-3 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Marco Fabian Jersey . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/javier-hernandez-mexico-jersey/ .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Alfredo Talavera Jersey . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Carlos Salcedo Jersey . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Notre Dames last two games against Stanford are markers for how quickly things can go downhill.Last November, the Irish were 30 seconds away from beating the Cardinal, finishing 11-1 and making a strong case for the College Football Playoff. They couldnt make a stop, and in many ways, they havent stopped the bleeding since that night in California.When Brian Kelly left the field Saturday in South Bend -- after a testy exchange with a Stanford strength coach -- the seventh-year coach carried the burden of a 2-5 record, Notre Dames worsst start since 2007.dddddddddddd A season that began with championship hopes is circling the drain, as Notre Dame has only one win against a Power 5 opponent and losses to ACC middleweights Duke and NC State. Kelly fired defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder after the Duke loss.How did things get so bad so fast for Kelly and the Irish? ESPN.com talked with coaches and other Notre Dame observers to find out. ' ' '