A collapse by Oklahoma Cty led to a 98-85 beating by Philadelphia, increasing the pressure on the Oklahoma Cty coach. Bob had to suffer through the game as his players were ineffective and his former fans were heckling. To make matters worse, the team was dominated by hated Philadelphia, a bad thing for any Oklahoma Cty coach.

"That ---- man can't win a ---- game if his ---- life depended on it!" screamed one disgruntled fan, who is obviously tired of Oklahoma Cty losing ways. While Oklahoma Cty deny it, rumors about that they have already started a search for a new coach who can turn this franchise around.

It was just more fuel for the fire today when Philadelphia took Oklahoma Cty behind the woodpile for a 98-85 whooping. Although Vegas was predicting a Philadelphia win, many people believed the Oklahoma Cty certainly had the talent to knock them off. Golden did everything in his power to help his coach, but in the end Austin led the Philadelphia to victory.

"You hate to see somebody with Bob's character go through this. It's just a sad sight," commented Philadelphia coach Bob. "We're obviously delighted to get the victory over such a worthy adversary in a big rivalry game like this, and all I can do is credit my players, my assistants, and our fans."

Philadelphia was led by Austin (16 points, a steal), Blunt (10 points, 9 boards, 2 assists, a block), Palacios (16 points, 6 boards, 0 assists). Oklahoma Cty was led by Golden (27 points, 16 boards, 1 assists, 2 blocks), Mcneil (18 points, a steal), Blake (6 points, 1 assists, a block).

With this victory, Philadelphia improve to 1-0 and 1-0 at home. They stay at #3 in the Atlantic and move up to #6 overall in the Eastern Conference. Oklahoma Cty fall to 0-1 with today's loss. They fall to #4 in the Northwest and fall to #13 overall in the Western Conference.

box score Philadelphia roster Oklahoma Cty roster