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Sixers relieved to get win before long road trip

The 76ers seemed more relieved than anything after Friday's 99-80 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks.

The 76ers seemed more relieved than anything after Friday's 99-80 win over the visiting Atlanta Hawks.

Not only did it end a five-game losing streak, but the victory also gave the Sixers something to build on as they begin their annual holiday road trip.

Sunday's game in Brooklyn against the Nets will be the first of eight straight road games for the Sixers, who don't return to the Wells Fargo Center until Jan. 8 against Nets.

"The win was big, especially going to a place like Brooklyn on the road, we need momentum," said Evan Turner, who scored 21 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. "I think the most important part is that with Jrue [Holiday] back we are a different team."

Holiday had missed the previous four games with a sprained left foot. He had 11 points and seven assists and was a major factor on offense and defense.

After Brooklyn, the Sixers will be in Memphis on Dec. 26, followed by games at Golden State, Portland, the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix, Oklahoma City, and San Antonio.

Holiday who attended Campbell High in Chatsworth, Calif., and then UCLA, is one of the Sixers who enjoys this trip.

"I go home and got to the West Coast and it is one of my favorite times," Holiday said. Going home, playing in front of the hometown crowd, I love it."

The Sixers (13-14) are 9-7 at home and 4-7 on the road.

Last year, because of the lockout, the Sixers opened on Dec. 26 and played their first five games on the road - at Portland, Phoenix, Utah, Golden State, and New Orleans.

The Sixers went 3-2, fueling an impressive start to the season.

This year has been much different. For the Sixers to turn it around, they will likely have to enjoy the same type of success on the holiday road trip that they had last year.