Technically, Howard serves a one-game suspension

PHILADELPHIA » With NBA rules requiring a one-game suspension for collecting a 16th technical foul in a season, Dwight Howard was unavailable to the Sixers Friday.

Howard, who averages 17.3 minutes a game, drew his 16th technical in his 68th appearance Thursday during an on-court confrontation with Udonis Haslem in Miami.

The suspension being without pay, the night off cost Howard $17,688. It also cost the Sixers a backup center.

For a 122-97 victory over the Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers used Mike Scott as his second-unit big man. Scott scored eight points in 18 minutes.

“We don’t have a lot of options,” Rivers said.

Howard, a 17th-year veteran, has a history of committing technical fouls.

“A lot of my technicals have been just really quick,” Howard had said earlier. “When I’m on the court, I’m passionate. I want to win. I came from old school basketball, so I like to talk trash. I’m not doing it to be malicious. But it’s how I play. It’s Philly basketball. I can’t help it.”

More than once, Rivers had counseled

Howard against drawing the 16th technical and accompanying automatic suspension.

“I think we had that talk probably three months ago,” the Sixes’ coach said. “But it doesn’t stop. Some of them are unavoidable. I really don’t think he deserved one last night. But it’s like the kid who comes late to class. Finally, he has a reason but no one believes you. There wasn’t a lot you could have done about it.”

Rivers was unamused by Howard’s suspension.

“They give you a number on purpose,” he said. “So when you get to that number, you’re not going to play and it’s in someone else’s hands.”

Howard will be available Sunday night when the Sixers close the regular season with a 7 o’clock game against Orlando.

••• In ending a two-game losing streak, the Sixers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The last time they finished with the top record in the East was 2000-01, when they advanced to the NBA Finals before falling to the Lakers.

“It’s an accomplishment,” Rivers said. “I didn’t tell them to enjoy the moment, I told them to enjoy the second because it’s not what we want. But it is a part of what you can get on your way to what you want.”