Sixers Notes: Toronto's working man's man: Evans

In June 2009, the 76ers traded power forward Reggie Evans to the Toronto Raptors for shooter Jason Kapono.

At the time, the trade looked like a good one for the Sixers, who were desperate for someone with a perimeter touch. Today, the trade looks substantially different: Evans is a fan favorite in Toronto, while Kapono has made one three-pointer - yes, exactly one - this season.

Each player's contract expires at the end of the season.

On Friday night at the Wells Fargo Center, the Raptors played the Sixers.

Evans, 30, started at center for Toronto, but he has been out for much of this season with a broken foot. For the season, Evans went into the game averaging 4.3 points and 11.3 rebounds a game; Kapono, 30, was averaging 0.6 points and 0.4 assists.

"I feel good to come back in this arena and city," said Evans, who played two seasons with the Sixers. "Always feels good to be here. A lot has to do with my former teammates and the training staff. I always feel good to go back to that locker room and share the love."

Before Friday's game, Evans was in the Sixers' training room catching up with guard Lou Williams, who is out with a strained right hamstring.

Evans added: "I love the city, too. It's blue collar and I am a blue-collar player and this is a blue-collar city, and the city works really hard to get what it needs to survive. The people appreciate blue-collar players who play and work hard."

Would Evans, who will be a free agent this offseason, consider signing with the Sixers?

"Don't start that," he said, laughing. "Come on, don't start that."

The 76ers finish the regular season at home with games against the Orlando Magic and the Detroit Pistons. They ended a three-game losing streak on Friday night.

"Winning at home - that's the key," coach Doug Collins said before Friday's game. "We walk into this locker room after a game and we taste winning, because that's really what these guys have done here all season long."

The Sixers hold the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, a half-game behind the New York Knicks - who beat the New Jersey Nets on Friday night. In the NBA playoffs, the Sixers will face either the Boston Celtics or the Miami Heat.

The Raptors had won three in a row in Philadelphia before Friday's defeat.

- Kate Fagan