• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

76ers rolling without Brand

Jan 16, 2009 - 11:35 AM San Antonio (25-12) at Philadelphia (18-20) 7:00 p.m. EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Elton Brand is close to returning from injury. With the way the Philadelphia 76ers are playing, the team is in no rush to see its high-priced forward back on the floor.

The 76ers go for their sixth straight win on Friday when they host the surging San Antonio Spurs.

Brand, who signed a five-year, $80 million free-agent deal in the offseason after playing his previous seven campaigns with the Los Angeles Clippers, has been out since dislocating his right shoulder during a 93-88 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on December 17.

After dropping six of their first eight games without Brand, Philadelphia has returned to its run-and-gun style, forging five straight wins, including a 100-79 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points and was 10-of-17 from the field, including 4-of-6 from the arc for the 76ers, who handed the Trail Blazers their most lopsided loss of the season.

Iguodala and Philadelphia hope they can continue their success against the Spurs, who earned their fifth win in six games with a thrilling, 112-111 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

After Kobe Bryant drilled a 3-pointer from the wing over Roger Mason that gave the Lakers a 111-109 lead with 12 seconds left, San Antonio called a timeout, setting up Mason for the heroics.

Matt Bonner had trouble inbounding the ball, but found Mason in the corner. He pump-faked, then hit a tough shot as he was fouled by Derek Fisher.

Mason made the ensuing free throw and the Spurs held on for the win.