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Struggling Sixers invade Space City to take on Rockets

Feb 22, 2012 - 3:54 PM (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia 76ers should consider themselves lucky to still have a sizable lead atop the Atlantic Division standings since they're currently mired in a season-high four-game losing streak.

The Sixers look to end their woes tonight against the Houston Rockets in the continuation of a four-game road trip at the Toyota Center. In Tuesday's 89-76 loss at Memphis, the Sixers struggled inside without Elton Brand (thumb) and Spencer Hawes (Achilles) and were led by Jrue Holiday's 22 points.

"Mistakes at the wrong time, defensive mistakes, turnovers," stated Sixers coach Doug Collins. "We're just struggling mightily to try and score."

Rookie Lavoy Allen scored 14 points and All-Star Andre Iguodala chipped in 11 points, seven assists and five rebounds for Philadelphia, which is on its longest losing streak since dropping five in a row from Nov. 10-17, 2010 and hasn't scored 100 points in any of the past 16 games.

Losers in six of eight games overall and three in a row on the road, Philadelphia is 7-7 away from Wells Fargo Center and sits four games ahead of New York and Boston in the division standings. The team will wrap up the road trip next Tuesday at Detroit. Brand and Hawes are expected to miss tonight's game in Space City.

Houston will continue a six-game homestand Wednesday and is 3-1 so far on the residency. It won for the sixth time in nine tries with Monday's 97-93 victory over Memphis, as oft-injured guard Kyle Lowry scored a game-high 24 points with nine assists and seven rebounds.

"My legs feel better, and it's the best I've felt in awhile," said Lowry about his performance. "We just have to continue with one more game and then we have the break and that will be the time to recuperate."

Kevin Martin netted 22 points and Luis Scola chipped in 10 for the Rockets, who improved to 13-4 at the Toyota Center this season.

The Rockets will close out the homestand next Tuesday versus Toronto and are four games behind San Antonio for the Southwest Division lead. Dallas is second in the standings at two games off the Spurs' pace.

Houston was swept in last year's home-and-home series with the Sixers and has dropped seven of the past eight meetings between the teams. Philadelphia is riding a four-game winning streak in Space City.