The Sixers continue their eight-game road trip tonight with a visit to Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers, with hopes of snapping a two-game losing skid (see story).
On Monday, Doug Collins and the team practiced at USC, where Nick Young played his college ball. The team was loose and felt good, according to Collins, and is looking to avenge its 111-98 loss to Lakers back on Dec. 16 at the Wells Fargo Center.
I thought our spirits were good, Collins said. It is nice to have a little sunshine out here in L.A. We are going to keep plugging away. I told our guys that we are working hard and that the last couple losses certainly aren't from a lack of effort," (see story).
Here's a look at what's in store Tuesday night around the NBA:
Clippers at Nuggets, 9 p.m.
LOS ANGELES -- Having wrapped up December with just the third 16-0 month in NBA history, the Los Angeles Clippers face tough challenges starting the new year.
They'll play four games this week, with two opponents having winning records and the other at .500. The Clippers take their franchise-record 17-game winning streak into Denver on Tuesday night, where the Nuggets are 9-1 at home.
"It'll be a big test for us," forward Blake Griffin said.
Denver (17-15) is the first game of a back-to-back, with a visit to Golden State on Wednesday. The Warriors handed the Clippers their first loss of the season Nov. 3. The Clippers return home Friday to host the Lakers, a team they've already beaten once and who are back to .500. Then comes the second game of another back-to-back against the Warriors.
Trail Blazers at Knicks, 7:30 p.m.
NEW YORK -- Once the most dominant team in the league on their home court, the New York Knicks have stumbled there lately.
Having a pair of All-Star forwards back in the lineup might help them get back on track at Madison Square Garden.
Carmelo Anthony, who missed the last two games with a hyperextended left knee, hopes to return on Tuesday night when New York opens 2013 at home against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Amar'e Stoudemire could also make his season debut, depending on how his knee responds following workouts on Monday. Stoudemire has been inactive all season after averaging 17.5 points and 7.8 rebounds in 2011-12.
Hawks at Hornets, 8 p.m.
NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Hornets will be going for back-to-back wins on Tuesday night for only the second time this season. But with the return of the team's top scorer seemingly breathing new life into the lineup, it looks much more attainable.
The Hornets will try to start a rare winning streak when they host the Atlanta Hawks.
New Orleans (7-23) hasn't won consecutive games since Nov. 2-3 - its second and third games of the season - but has won two of its last three, the most recent victory highlighted by Eric Gordon's season debut.
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