The Mavs go into Thursday?s meeting at Philadelphia missing their seventh and eighth guys, and while it creates a challenge, it?s likely a blip on the Dallas radar screen
     The Sixers come in missing the league?s No. 1 guy, a total of three front-of-the-rotation guys, leaving them with just starter remaining from the team that played in the NBA Finals a few months ago. It creates a crack as prominent as the one on the Liberty Bell.
     "We understand we have a lot of new faces,?? says center Dikembe Mutombo, ?but the clock is ticking.??
     For sure, Philly (0-1) is unlikely to even come closer to matching its 10-0 start from last year. Dallas (1-0) will be without Greg Buckner (ankle) and Adrian Griffin (back), the two defensive stoppers who did make the trip but probably won?t be used in this game or the Toronto game on Friday. But the Sixers will play without MVP Allen Iverson, Sixth Man Award winner Aaron McKie and starting guard Eric Snow.