PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Elton Brand got hurt. The Sixers kept winning. Samuel Dalembert went down. The …

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Samuel Dalembert sprained his left ankle at the end of the first half of Philad…

ROTATION: Starters — Point guard Andre Miller, Shooting guard Willie Green, Small forward Andre Iguodala, Power forward Thaddeus Young, Center Samuel Dalembert. Bench — Guard Lou Williams, Forward Elton Brand, Forward-Center Marreese Speights, Guard Royal Ivey, Forward Reggie Evans.
PLAYER NOTES:
–The Sixers have won each of the last nine times G/F Andre Iguodala has scored 20-plus points.

The Sixers made their move right before the All-Star break a year ago, winning five in a row at the Wachovia Center en route to finishing the season 22-12 and reaching the playoffs for the first time in three years.
They’re hoping to do the same thing this year by taking advantage of a season-high seven-game homestand going into the break. They began that stretch by handling the Wizards, 104-94.

–The Sixers were without starting C Samuel Dalembert for the second half versus the Wizards. Dalembert sprained his left ankle when he landed on the foot of Washington’s JaVale McGee late in the second quarter. X-rays were negative and Dalembert was scheduled to be re-evaluated prior to Saturday’s home meeting with the Nets. If Dalembert is unable to play versus New Jersey, Elton Brand would be the probable starter.

For the first time in more than two months, the Philadelphia 76ers have a winning record. To stay above .500, the Sixers might have to overcome another injury in their frontcourt.

Continuing a season-long seven-game homestand, Philadelphia (23-22) looks for its 11th victory in the last 13 games Saturday at home against the struggling New Jersey Nets (20-27), who have lost eight of their last nine.

Willie Green scored a season-high 20 points, Andre Iguodala also had 20 and the Philadelphia 76ers kicked off a seven-game homestand with a 104-94 win over the pesky Washington Wizards on Friday night.

The Sixers built a 15-point lead in the first half, then watched it evaporate against the worst team in the NBA. The Wizards briefly went ahead late in the third quarter, only to lose their fifth straight game.

Elton Brand got hurt. The Sixers kept winning. Samuel Dalembert went down. The Sixers won again.

Now imagine how potent that frontcourt might be if that duo were able to team up from the opening tip.

“That’s what we all want to see,” guard Willie Green said.

They’ll have to keep waiting.

Green scored a season-high 20 points, Andre Iguodala also had 20 and the Philadelphia 76ers kicked off a seven-game homestand with a 104-94 win over the pesky Washington Wizards on Friday night.

Samuel Dalembert sprained his left ankle at the end of the first half of Philadelphia’s game against Washington and will not return.

Dalembert went up for an offensive rebound with 1:54 left in the half of Friday’s game and landed awkwardly on his ankle. He went down in a heap and immediately grabbed his ankle. X-rays were negative.

Dalembert, who was scoreless in 13 minutes, needed help back to the locker room.

So far this month, the Washington Wizards have won only three times, losing 12 games and two players to injury in the process.