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Clippers-76ers Preview

Dec 19, 2009 - 5:31 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (11-13) at Philadelphia (6-19), 7:30 p.m. EDT

The Philadelphia 76ers are coming off their biggest win of the season and didn't need Allen Iverson to help accomplish it.

Looking to win consecutive games for just the second time this season, the 76ers could have their veteran guard back in the lineup as they try for a fifth straight victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.

Elton Brand had 23 points, including a tip-in with 7.7 seconds left, to help give Philadelphia (7-19) a 98-97 road win over the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics on Friday night.

"We closed out a game against a team winning 11 in a row, the best in the league," said Brand, who added eight rebounds to help the 76ers to their third road win of the season. "It bodes well for our confidence."

The victory was Philadelphia's first against a winning team this season and second in three games overall after losing 12 in a row.

Now, the 76ers have a chance to win consecutive games for the first time since beating Milwaukee and New York on back-to-back nights to close out the month of October. They could also have Iverson back after he missed Friday's game due to arthritis in his left knee.

In his second stint with the team with which he began his career, Iverson is averaging 15.6 points and 4.2 assists in five games. He's averaging 26.2 points and 6.9 assists in 23 career games versus the Clippers, who have lost 11 of 12 at Philadelphia.

Averaging a career-low 13.0 points in his second season with Philadelphia, Brand reached the 20-point mark for the first time in eight games Friday. The veteran forward spent seven seasons with the Clippers before signing with the Sixers in July 2008.

Brand had 17 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in an 89-88 home win over Los Angeles on Nov. 21, 2008, his only game against his former team since joining Philadelphia.

The 76ers have shown some life on the offensive end of late, averaging 105.3 points in their last three games. Philadelphia's defense, however, has been the difference against Los Angeles, as it's given up an average of 85.0 points per contest during a four-game winning streak over the Clippers.

Trying for a third straight win, Los Angeles (11-14) went cold in the second half and lost 95-91 loss at New York on Friday. The Clippers are 1-1 on a six-game road trip.

Chris Kaman had 20 points with nine rebounds and Baron Davis added 19 points against the Knicks, but the Clippers blew a 20-point lead while being outscored 53-33 in the second half.

"We didn't deserve to win," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "(New York) played much better than us in the second half. That's really disappointing."

Despite the loss, Kaman continues to play well, averaging 21.3 points and 10.0 rebounds in his last four games. The 7-foot veteran, however, is averaging 9.8 points and 7.4 boards in 11 career games against Philadelphia.