He knew expectations would be high after he signed a five-year, $82 million contract in July to give the Sixers, a team that made the playoffs last season without a low-post threat, what they needed the most. He also wanted to show that he had fully recovered from a ruptured Achilles' tendon that kept him out of the first 74 games of 2007-08 as a Clipper.

In Wednesday's season-opening 95-84 loss to the Raptors, Brand probably didn't live up to the hype. He was effective early, but shot 2-for-9 in the final three quarters after a 3-of-5 opening period en route to 14 points and 13 rebounds in 39 minutes. He also had four turnovers and no assists.

"It was OK," Brand said of his first performance. "It wasn't great and it definitely wasn't terrible. I wish I did more to help the team. It's about victories."

Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks agreed with Brand's assessment, saying, "Overall, I thought he did a nice job."

That the Sixers didn't win was due, in part, to Chris Bosh, who was matched up with Brand and had 27 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. Bosh was too athletic and quick for Brand to handle.

Brand hopes to be more of a factor in a better outcome Friday against the visiting Knicks.

"If we won, I would've thought I played great, regardless of my numbers," Brand said.

RAPTORS 95, SIXERS 84: The Sixers were sluggish in their half-court offense because they couldn't get enough turnovers to create fast-break opportunities. The Raptors picked them apart with their inside duo of Chris Bosh and Jermaine O'Neal, and the perimeter shooting of Jason Kopono, Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon, who were a combined 9-for-14 from three-point land. The Sixers also had 15 assists and 18 turnovers, compared to the Raptors' 24 assists and just 10 turnovers.