--The experiment with Jason Maxiell as the starter at power forward and Antonio McDyess in reserve is going well. Neither player has felt uncomfortable in their current role.
McDyess, who broke his nose in Game 3, was a backup the past three seasons with the Pistons. In seven regular-season games as a starter in place of McDyess or Rasheed Wallace this season, Maxiell averaged 11.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Maxiell had nine points, four rebounds and three assists in Game 6.
"He's always been good when he has been able to start," Saunders said. "He's always put up pretty good numbers. It doesn't surprise me that he's played well. Our biggest concern with him starting games has always been him getting in quick foul trouble. He's had a tendency to do that sometimes."
--F Rasheed Wallace spread out his 20 rejections during the Sixers' series.
He swatted shots by seven different Philly players multiple times. Willie Green was denied five times, Reggie Evans, Samuel Dalembert and Andre Iguodala three apiece and Thaddeus Young, Lou Williams and Andre Miller twice each.
"He's got a lot of blocks (right out of) guys' hands, which for shot-blockers sometimes is not as common, because usually it comes from the weak side," Saunders said. "He's just been really active. I've said all year long he's been one of the better defensive players in the league. But because of Sheed's persona, and his perception from people, they really don't understand how intent he is defensively and really, what his defensive concentration is."
QUOTE TO NOTE: "They woke us up and they probably made us a lot better going into the next round." -- Coach Flip Saunders, on eliminating the Sixers Thursday night.
