Sixers have shot at .500 record

Although admitting this would defy the one-game-at-a-time code, the 76ers should be focused on looking toward evening their overall record.

After starting the season 3-13, the Sixers have since gone 17-12, bringing their record to 20-25. On Wednesday night at the Air Canada Centre, the Sixers defeated the Toronto Raptors, 107-94, pulling them that much closer to the .500 mark.

Sixers coach Doug Collins has said that he won't allow his team to ponder the playoff standings before and after each game. That way, the Sixers won't get caught up in anything outside of their control. However, it's almost impossible not to consider the importance of evening the team's overall record. Doing so will put the Sixers, who started this season in such a hole, on level ground.

The Sixers usually take a team flight immediately after a game, but they were forced to remain overnight in Toronto on Wednesday because of the snowstorm. The team departed for home on Thursday morning but was not scheduled to practice.

On Friday at the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers will play the Memphis Grizzlies. The Sixers, who have won three straight, have a string of winnable games approaching: against the Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets at home; in New Jersey against the Nets; and a home-and-home set with the New York Knicks.

In Wednesday's game, Sixers reserve big man Marreese Speights did not play in the first quarter, but came off the bench to score 23 points and grab nine rebounds in just 17 minutes of playing time.

"I felt I just came back with a lot of confidence and just went out there and just played," Speights said. "I don't listen to the other stuff that is going on, I just play basketball."

Speights called the scoring explosion "easy."

"We have a really good bench, a lot of solid guys, and they can really score the ball, that is their strength," swingman Andre Iguodala said. "When we have been getting wins, they have been really strong for us. I am not too surprised with what they did for us because they bring that every game for us."

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at kfagan@phillynews.com.

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