For every NBA team that is on a roll, there is a team that isn't. That's why we need the doctor -- Dr. Jack Ramsay. Each week in Dr. Jack's Prescription, the Hall of Fame coach will analyze a team in distress, and offer a cure to what ails them.

This week: Philadelphia 76ers

	Mutombo

	Iverson

The Symptoms
In their opening game of the 2001 Playoffs, the Philadelphia 76ers -- owners of the best record in the Eastern Conference -- had a comfortable 12-point lead on Indiana after the first period; and what seemed to be a commanding 16-point lead at halftime -- but lost the game on their home court.

They outrebounded the Pacers, 52-43; held them to .356 percent shooting (including a combined 13 for 43 for Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose), kept their own turnovers to 11 ... and yet they lost.

That would appear to be hard to do, until one examines other stats from the game: the Sixers shot only .397 themselves, scored only 26 points in the entire second half (13 points in each period), and Allen Iverson, the NBA's leading scorer with a 31 ppg average, managed only 16 points on 7 for 19 shooting.

The most telling Sixers' shortcoming, however, was not statistical. It was the impression that nobody other than Iverson seemed confident shooting the ball down the stretch. The Pacers did a good defensive job on The Answer -- double-teaming him on each catch and forcing him to give up the ball to open teammates. None of them hit a hoop when it counted. The front line players (Dikembe Mutombo, Tyrone Hill and George Lynch) didn't have a field goal in the final period.

Then, with the Sixers holding a two-point lead in the closing seconds, Aaron McKie forced an off-balance drive with 7 seconds still on the shot clock, and the Pacers got a possession with enough time to set up Miller for another of his typically heroic shots. A magnificent win for the Pacers ... a tough, tough loss for Philly.

	Hill

	Lynch

The Diagnosis
This kind of Sixers breakdown occurred before at times during this regular season. I recall a similar game with Toronto at about mid-year -- also on their home floor -- when after dissipating a double-digit half-time lead, the Sixers lost in overtime. It can happen to any team, but especially to one that relies so heavily on one player to carry the load on offense.

Certainly the Pacers didn't surprise either Coach Larry Brown or Allen Iverson with their double-team tactics. Brown is very thorough in his game preparation and Iverson has seen -- and beaten -- all varieties of defense. And, hadn't the Sixers handled them well in the first half? No, this wasn't a matter of the Sixers not being mentally ready for what Indiana threw at them defensively. It was more a case of players lacking psychological readiness and confidence to step up and make open shots that came their way.

	Snow

When the Sixers are at their best, Iverson is on the attack -- no matter who or how many defend him. He's either scoring or giving the ball to teammates in better positions to score. And when those players -- McKie, Eric Snow, George Lynch, Matt Geiger and Tyrone Hill -- are knocking down their open looks, the Sixers are the Beasts of the NBA East.

Philadelphia beat Indiana three games to none in the regular season. It may have taken the outcome of Game 1 for granted with a 16-point lead at the half. Now they must realize that past performances mean nothing in the playoffs.

	McKie

The Cure
This isn't the time for the Sixers to panic. They were the better team in the regular season. They must prove it again to themselves and the Pacers, who have to feel in position to pull off a huge upset.

What can coach Brown do to get his team over the emotional shock of losing the opening game of a best of 5 series? If we could peek into the Sixers' practice facility, I think we'd see Brown start off by showing his team video tape of its breakdowns in Game 1. The players will see the shots they passed up or shot quickly and without full concentration. He'll express his confidence in them in taking and making the shots they failed to hit. The coach will also show occasions when, with one more pass, a higher percentage shot was available.

Then he'll review with his players on the practice floor how he wants them to set up and react to the double-teaming on Iverson that caused them problems down the stretch of Game 1. Next, we'd see the team go over again the defensive responsibilities of each player in handling the Pacers' offense -- primarily designed for Rose and Miller. Brown will also focus defensive attention on Best (16 points and 10 assists), Croshere (12 points) and keeping Jermaine O'Neal (20 rebounds) off the boards. Then the Sixers will do some live scrimmaging, and finish off with shooting drills -- those same shots they failed to make in Game 1. His players will respond. They'll knock down those shots this time.

But they know that it's only the game performance that counts. My guess is that they'll be ready the second time around.