The Sixers had a 12-game losing streak earlier in the season, and have lost nine of their last 11 games at the Wachovia Center.
They are 5-4 in their previous nine road games, including Saturday's 104-94 win at Detroit.
"I think that we're improving and that we haven't made plays at home to win games," coach Eddie Jordan said. "We've done a great job on the road, as far as playing with a lot of energy, playing together. We've been very resilient in back-to-backs, as far as playing with energy and intensity, and our defense was really good in Detroit."
The Sixers held the Pistons to only 41.4 percent shooting from the floor, the lowest they've held a team since Dec. 7, when Denver shot 39.2 percent.
"I like to win games at home, obviously, and bring our fans along with us," Jordan said. "We haven't closed games out here. Pretty much, we've been very competitive. I don't think you've seen 30-point blowouts or 25-point blowouts. Maybe somewhere along the way, but not a lot of them. We've been very competitive. We just haven't been able to close people out on a consistent basis."
In the two home games before last night, the Sixers blew a 13-point third-quarter lead to Toronto and an 18-point, third-quarter lead to Washington. In that 2-9 stretch at home, the losses have been by an average of 6.6 points.
Iverson status
Guard Allen Iverson wasn't sure he would be able to play last night until he went out onto the court about an hour before the game and tested the stability of his arthritic left knee, which he had drained before Friday's loss at home to Toronto. He warmed up before the game without the sleeve he usually wears on the knee, but had it on when the game began.
It appears this could be a daily thing for the 34-year-old Iverson for the foreseeable future.
"We hope that his treatment will eventually get him better as the weeks go along," Eddie Jordan said. "We knew that it was going to take a little time. If we manage it correctly and he's diligent with his rehab and his workouts and his treatment, it will get better."
Whenever Iverson is able to go, Jordan most certainly will keep him in the starting lineup. When he is shelved, veteran Willie Green will start.
"He's [Green] been very good at it," Jordan said. "I think he's experienced this along the line somewhere in his career. He's a very quiet leader. He's very diligent with his workouts, his shooting and his extra work in the weight room. He's a solid pro."
Oops
Yesterday's story listed the wrong college for center Sam Dalembert. He played at Seton Hall.
Milestone
When Detroit's Ben Gordon hit a jumper with 3 minutes, 51 seconds left in the second quarter Saturday night against the Sixers, it was the 10 millionth point scored in NBA history. According to Sixers stat guru Harvey Pollack, because other games were going on at the same time, baskets were being monitored by phone to see exactly who scored it and when the milestone was reached. *
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