For the Sixers, it's about momentum

EXPECTATIONS should not be lowered for the Sixers as they enter the homestretch of what has been an interesting NBA season.

It doesn't matter that they were 3-13 in November.

What matters is that since that dismal start, the Sixers have played on par with some of the top teams in the NBA.

Over the last 54 games, they have gone 33-21 and turned themselves from a lottery team to a potential sixth, possibly even fifth, seed in the Eastern Conference.

It is an exceptional story that requires an exceptional ending.

After everything the Sixers have overcome, it will not be acceptable for them to throw it all away with a collapse in the last 12 games of the regular season.

Fortunately, they understand that as well as anybody.

"We still have games to win. We still have to play well," forward Elton Brand said, with the Sixers back in Philadelphia after going 2-3 on their last extended road trip of the season. "We are not looking to fail down the stretch.

"The season started off tough, but we fought our way out. For us to go in the opposite direction again would be the ultimate disappointment."

It's not about playoff seeding.

While there is a remote chance that the Sixers, who are seeded sixth, could catch the Atlanta Hawks for the fifth seed, they aren't getting to fourth, so they aren't getting homecourt advantage.

Considering few people outside of their locker room will give them a chance in the playoffs against the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat or Orlando Magic, it's really not about whom they end up playing in the first round.

The Sixers are fighting for momentum going into the playoffs. How they play at the end of the season could mean the difference between a quick exit, an extended series or an upset.

Several key players have been in this position before.

On April 4, 2009, the Sixers were 40-35 and looking at a fifth seed and a playoff matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, against whom they were 2-1.

They lost six straight before winning their final game to finish 41-41. The sixth seed matched them with Orlando, which had beaten them in all three regular-season games.

The Magic won the playoff series, 4-2.

"We let the other guys know every day that anything can happen if we don't stay focused and play sharp," said forward Thaddeus Young. "We can lose our seeding and fall all the way to eight or drop out of it.

"We've got to find the way to stay mentally tough. It's big for us. We need this last stretch of games to seal things up."

A huge goal sits in front of the Sixers, which could boost the confidence of this young team.

With a 36-34 record, the Sixers only need to go 6-6 over their final 12 games to finish above .500 for the first time since 2004-05.

"We've got 12 games to put a stamp on this season, and it could be a very special season for our guys," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "I want us to keep our eye on what we have to do every day."

A winning record is an attainable goal, probably an expected one, considering the way the schedule breaks down.

Starting tomorrow night with the Hawks, the Sixers have eight games left at the Wells Fargo Center, where they are 22-11. The Hawks are one of only two teams on the home schedule - along with Orlando Magic - with winning road records. The New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons and Sacramento Kings have a combined 25 road victories.

The other two games left in South Philly are against the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets, each 16-20 on the road.

In all honesty, considering the way the Sixers have defended South Philly, there is no reason why they should not clinch a winning season by just taking care of business at home.

Even the four road games work to the Sixers' advantage, because three give them a late-season look at potential playoff opponents. The Sixers play at Miami on Friday, Chicago on March 28 and Boston on April 5. The remaining road game is April 2 at Milwaukee, which is still fighting to get into the playoffs.

"All four of our road games are going to be very difficult," Collins said. "We play the teams fighting for the top seed in the East and Milwaukee, which is fighting to get into the playoffs.

"At home is going to be very important for us. We're going to have to find a way to carve out wins.

"If we can get to 27 or 28 wins at home, I think that will put us in a great spot, and we'll see where we can go from there."

Now is not the time to take steps backward. *

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