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Webber faces 76ers for first time since buyout

Mar 20, 2007 - 2:58 PM Philadelphia (26-41) at Detroit (42-23) 7:30 pm EDT

AUBURN HILLS, Michigan (Ticker) -- Chris Webber is glad to be out of the "City of Brotherly Love."

Webber faces his former team for the first time since he had his contract bought out in January when the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons battle the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

After two-plus seasons with the 76ers, Webber did not want to be part of the Sixers' rebuilding program after the team traded Allen Iverson and asked for a buyout of his contract.

The five-time All-Star quickly signed with his hometown club and has made a major contribution. Since adding Webber, the Pistons are 21-8 and hold a 1 1/2-game lead over Cleveland (41-25) in the conference.

However, Detroit came up short against the league-leading Dallas Mavericks on Sunday in a 92-88 setback that ended its five-game winning streak.

The Pistons have dropped three straight games here heading into Tuesday's contest.

Following their season-high seven-game winning streak, the 76ers have dropped three of their last four, including a 124-74 loss to Houston on Sunday. It was the most lopsided home loss in franchise history and largest margin of defeat in more than 14 years for Philadelphia, which received just six points from rising star Andre Iguodala.

The Pistons have won 10 of the last 11 meetings against the Sixers, including both matchups this season.

Tayshaun Prince scored a career-high 33 points in the Pistons' 98-89 win at Philadelphia on January 9.