Struggling Sixers fire Cheeks

PHILADELPHIA: The Philadelphia 76ers moved to jump-start their disappointing season by firing coach Maurice Cheeks and replacing him with assistant general manager Tony DiLeo, the team said on Saturday.

Philadelphia was 9-14 and in last place in the Atlantic standings when Sixers management decided to make the change. DiLeo won his coaching debut later on Saturday when the Sixers defeated the Washington Wizards 104-89.

"Decisions of this nature are never easy, and this was particularly difficult due to the great amount of respect I have for Maurice Cheeks," Sixers General Manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement on the team's website (www.nba.com/sixers)