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76ers set to welcome Brand back vs. Knicks

Jan 24, 2009 - 11:33 AM New York (18-24) at Philadelphia (20-21) 7:00 p.m. EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Their seven-game winning streak is a thing of the past, but the Philadelphia 76ers are about to score a big win in their lineup.

Elton Brand is due to make his first appearance in over a month when the 76ers meet the New York Knicks on Saturday.

Brand has been out with a dislocated right shoulder since December 17 but participated in a full practice on Thursday and is expected to get some minutes off the bench against the Knicks. Signed as a free agent in the offseason to provide Philadelphia with a dominant inside presence, Brand was averaging 15.9 points and 9.8 rebounds at the time of his injury.

The former All-Star will be returning to a team that has gone 9-7 in his absence, including the seven-game spurt that ended with a 95-93 loss against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday. The game was tied, 93-93, in the final seconds until Dirk Nowitzki hit a jumper at the buzzer to lift the Mavericks.

Defense has been a key to Philadelphia's strong play of late, as the team has allowed less than 90 points per game over its last six contests.

Andre Iguodala has shouldered most of the scoring load in Brand's absence, averaging 22.3 points since the injury, up from 14.4 before.

New York has won three straight, including a 108-88 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday. Six players scored in double figures for the Knicks, with rookie Danilo Gallinari notching a career-high 11 points off the bench.

The Sixers picked up a win at New York on January 17, 107-97. Iguodala collected 28 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists and Andre Miller added 27 points and eight assists.