Sixers Notes: Dalembert expects 'best' of Shaq

Now, with the Suns in town tonight to play the Sixers at the Wachovia Center, they have played 18 games with Shaq. They have gone 10-8, and O'Neal has averaged 12.1 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 29.2 minutes.

Phoenix, 47-24, started off 3-6 with Shaq and then won seven in a row before losing their last two, including Wednesday's 119-97 defeat at Boston.

"I think he's doing well, and it looks like he is back to 22 years old out there, diving and hustling," Sixers center Samuel Dalembert said. "We have to be prepared for the best of Shaq."

Having won 19 of their last 24 games, the 76ers are 11-2 in March. And the victory at Phoenix could be looked on as a turning point.

The Sixers entered the game 26-33 after a 119-97 loss at Golden State the previous night.

"It was huge considering the way we played the game before," guard Lou Williams said.

Williams scored 13 points against the Suns and hit a big three-pointer in the fourth quarter when Phoenix was coming back. Swingman Andre Iguodala had 32 points, shooting 15 for 23 from the field.

"It was big because it was on the road and we played a really good team, and they are still playing good ball," Iguodala said.

Thriving in Phoenix

Giricek, with an expiring $4 million contract, was with the Sixers for only two months after he and a first-round pick were acquired from Utah for forward Kyle Korver.

More Brown rumors

"We don't comment on rumors," Glass said by telephone.

Any team interested in Brown would have to contact the Sixers for permission to talk to him. An NBA source said yesterday that the Sixers had not received any such calls.