Clips hope to continue hot start in Philly

However, getting that win might be a tall task since they have not won in Philadelphia in nearly 10 years and have lost eight straight in the City of Brotherly Love since beating the Sixers back on March 10, 1996.

On Thursday, Elton Brand had 23 points and seven rebounds to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over the Atlanta Hawks, 102-95, at Philips Arena. Sam Cassell added 21 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, while Corey Maggette recorded 17 points for the Clippers, who have won five of their six games this season.

The Clippers’ franchise, dating back to the days when they were the Buffalo Braves (1970-78) and the San Diego Clippers (1978-84) before coming to LA, started a season 5-1 just once in 1985-86 when they won five in a row to start the year only to lose their next eight contests.

Brand has been dominant for the Clips of late and is averaging 26.7 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting almost 71 percent in his last three games.

Los Angeles, which will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, is 3-1 away from home this season.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, enters tonight’s tilt on a winning note after Allen Iverson scored 34 points, including the game-winning basket with 22.2 seconds left, as the 76ers rallied to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 85-81 on Friday at the Wachovia Center.

Kyle Korver added 14 points and John Salmons chipped in 12 for the 76ers, who have won three straight since starting the season with three losses.

Philadelphia shot 43 percent from the floor and was a solid 79 percent (19- of-24) from the charity stripe.

The Sixers, who will wrap up a four-game homestand on Tuesday against Toronto, are 2-2 in their building this season.

Philly split the two-game season-series with the Clips last year and has won two of three and six of the last eight overall matchups.