Sixers must capitalize on long home stand

THE 76ERS, coming off a 107-100 win over Houston on Saturday night, will play 11 of their next 12 games at home.

And for the Sixers, their longest home stretch of the season might be an opportunity to climb back into the NBA's Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference races.

The Sixers are 16-22, 8 1/2 games behind the Atlantic Division's first-place New York Knicks. The Sixers are only 10-8 at home, but much better than their 6-14 road record.

In the conference race, the Sixers are sitting at ninth, 9 1/2 games behind Boston and Milwaukee and one spot out of the playoffs.

The Sixers play their next three at home, starting Tuesday night vs. New Orleans. On Friday, Toronto visits the Wells Fargo Center and next Monday, it will San Antonio in town.

The Sixers visit Milwaukee on Jan. 22, but then have their next eight at home: New York (Jan. 26), Memphis (Jan. 28), Washington (Jan. 30), Sacramento (Feb. 1), Orlando (Feb. 4), Indiana (Feb. 6), Charlotte (Feb. 9) and the LA Clippers (Feb. 11).

In the victory over the Rockets, Jrue Holiday scored 30 points and Thaddeus Young had 18 points and 12 rebounds, as the Sixers snapped a five-game losing streak. Jason Richardson added 16 for the Sixers.

The Sixers were coming off a 2-6 road trip and had played 12 of 15 on the road.

"No excuses, you've got to play all 82," coach Doug Collins told reporters after the game. "But when they're bunched like that, it's tough. Over the holidays. We spent Christmas on the road. We spent New Year's on the road. That's not easy. People forget they do have families and they have to give that up."