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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. Larry Csonka Youth Jersey . They had already blown a double-digit lead, fans were hitting the exits, and a long seven-game road trip waited at the end. Bob Griese Womens Jersey .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Dan-Marino-Jersey/ . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Mark Clayton Dolphins Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Josh Rosen Dolphins Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. This story appears in ESPN The Magazines Sept. 5 NFL Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Todays NFL offenses are wide open. Spread the field, throw the rock, and run the ball versus nickel fronts. At times, this is basketball on grass -- where height, weight and speed rule in three wide receiver sets. Create the matchups and play with a lightning-quick tempo to expose outdated defensive personnel.However, defenses are beginning to counter this fast-break style of football with more versatility on the field, creating a new brand of hybrid personnel to eliminate those matchups. These defenders are the future of the league. They are the answer: athletic, fast and unique. They can run with speed down the field, tackle in run support and check guys in space. And every team is looking for that next one in the draft.The league is changing. So is scouting. And the game we once knew is now faster than ever before. Welcome to the modern world of NFL football where the monsterback is king in the defensive game plan.How would you build the perfect beast? By combining the best attributes of these monsters:Tyrann Mathieu Safety | CardinalsBALL SKILLS: Mathieu has ridiculous playmaking skills when the ball is in the air, with five INTs and 17 passes broken up last season. Although he lacks size (5-foot-9, 186 pounds), his versatility allows him to match up with anyone.Kam ChancellorSafety | SeahawksTACKLING: Chancellor has thunder in his pads. Hes intimidating in the box but also a technician when it comes to tackling (449 tackles in five seasons as a starter). He can wrap, drive the legs and dump the ball carrier on the ground. Teachinng-tape stuff.ddddddddddddLavonte DavidLinebacker | BuccaneersRANGE/SPEED: David has the burst of a safety when he breaks on the ball. He can cover ground, eliminate space and close against the pass or run (10 tackles for loss, 13 passes defensed in 2015). From sideline to sideline, David can fly.Deone BucannonSafety | CardinalsVISION: Bucannon plays at a lightning-fast pace because of his eyes: He sees it and goes. His 11 tackles for loss last year were the result of an electric first step to track the ball against the run and the burst to find daylight in blitz schemes. Meanwhile, he has the speed to match up in the passing game.Luke KuechlyLinebacker | PanthersINSTINCTS: A true impact player, Kuechly expertly reads NFL offenses. He can close the middle of the field and run through ball carriers. But with 10 passes defensed and four INTs in 15 (in 13 games), he puts up numbers expected from a free safety, not a middle linebacker.Jamie CollinsLinebacker | PatriotsCOVERAGE/HIPS: Big boys like Collins (6-3, 250) shouldnt have the speed to rush the passer and drop in coverage. But this cat does it all: 5? sacks, eight tackles for loss, six passes defensed, five forced fumbles-and provides endless game-plan possibilities.Mark BarronSafety | RamsAGILITY: Hes an impact hybrid player with multiple roles in the run front (16 tackles for loss) and in coverage (five passes defensed). Barron has a smooth pedal and the ability to plant, drive and close, and he moves with quick feet and lateral speed. Cheap Jerseys [url=http: boys like Collins (6-3, 250) shouldnt have thrl] Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' '