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Brand's absence not slowing 76ers

Feb 11, 2009 - 11:34 AM Memphis (15-36) at Philadelphia (26-24) 7:00 p.m. EST

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia 76ers are showing no ill effects from the absence of Elton Brand.

The 76ers go for their fourth straight win on Wednesday when they host the Memphis Grizzlies in the finale of a season-high, seven-game homestand.

Signed to a five-year deal worth close to $80 million in the offseason, Brand underwent successful right shoulder surgery on Monday to repair a torn labrum and will miss the rest of the campaign.

Brand missed 16 games after dislocating the shoulder December 17 against Milwaukee. He played in six contests after returning, but was limited to less than nine minutes in last Tuesday's 100-99 loss to the Boston Celtics.

Following the game, Brand said he felt pain in the shoulder and was restricted in his movement, leading to the season-ending procedure.

Philadelphia responded to Brand's loss by winning each of its next three games, including a 108-91 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Monday.

Thaddeus Young scored 25 points, rookie Marreese Speights had a season-high 24 off the bench and Andre Iguodala added 22 for the 76ers, who improved to 4-2 on their home stretch and moved two games over .500 for the first time this season.

After losing their final 12 games of January and 13 of 14 overall during the month, the Grizzlies have won two straight and four of five to start February.

Rookie O.J. Mayo posted his first career double-double, scoring 22 points and grabbing a career-high 16 rebounds as Memphis claimed an 85-80 victory over the shorthanded New Orleans Hornets on Monday.