The Sixers and Brand know that he will not start of playing 35 minutes a night. In fact, he could come off the bench for a game or two while his minutes are limited. The challenge for head coach Tony DiLeo is to keep the Sixers defending and scoring as well as they have without Brand when he returns. Using a small lineup -- mainly Thaddeus Young in Brand's spot -- that helped them finish last season with a 22-12 surge, the Sixers have been forcing turnovers and scoring a lot in transition.

Andre Iguodala has flourished in Brand's absence, averaging 22.5 points with eleven 20-point performances in the 15 games without Brand. With Brand, Iguodala is averaging 13.6 points with one 20-point outing in 23 games.

"When he comes back, we've just got to continue to go with the flow," Iguodala said. "He's going to help us even more. When teams try to slow us down, we've got to continue to run and play our basketball."

Brand said he doesn't want to disrupt the progress the Sixers have made and doesn't expect to be the focal point right away.

"I'm about winning," Brand said. "When I come back and if we're still winning, that's what it's about."

SIXERS 100, BLAZERS 79: The Sixers extended their win streak to five by overwhelming Portland. They led by as many as 24 points in the second period and remained ahead by at least eight for the rest of the night. The Sixers limited the Blazers to an opponent-low 33 points in a half (the first), scored 27 points on 19 turnovers, nailed a season-high 11 three-pointers, made 19-of-21 free throws and handed out 26 assists on 35 baskets.

Andre Iguodala scored a season-high 29 points for the Sixers (18-20). Lou Williams (14 points) was the next-highest scorer of four other Sixers in double-figures.