Elton Brand injury update

A day after dislocating his right (shooting) pinkie, forward Elton Brand was back on the practice floor today at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine sporting a splint and a pad on the finger.

"There's a little pain, but it feels pretty good," said Brand, who was hurt diving for a loose ball in the third quarter Sunday. He begged to stay in the game, but the trainers took him to the locker room and popped the digit back into place. Brand returned to the game and hit a key jumper late. Yesterday. he was practicing his patented midrange jumper. "It wasn't my usual 10-for-10, it was more like 8-for-10," he said. "It's all right. and I'll definitely be able to play tomorrow."

Speaking of tomorrow, the Sixers, who have won a season-high four straight and 13 of 17, will face the hottest team in the NBA when the Dallas Mavericks, winners of 16 of 17, visit the Wells Fargo Center.

"It's exciting. This will be a good test for us," Brand said. "We played well against San Antonio at home [a 77-71 win]. It's going to be a great barometer for us."

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