The latest games were supposed to allow them to gain a little breathing room between themselves and .500.

Instead, after finishing a five-game stretch against sub-.500 teams, the Sixers are 7-7 and staring at a much more difficult road.

After Monday night's 93-84 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats, the Sixers practiced yesterday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Starting at 7:30 tonight against the Orlando Magic at the Wachovia Center, the Sixers enter a nine-game stretch that includes the Boston Celtics, the Los Angeles Lakers, Allen Iverson's Detroit Pistons, and LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers - all considered championship contenders this season.

"We're not looking at records," power forward Elton Brand said. "We can't look at records. You look at Minnesota's record and Charlotte's record, and you say we should win. You look at the records of the teams coming up and you say we should lose."

Guard Willie Green said the team took a step back with the loss to the Bobcats, who were the lowest-scoring team in the NBA. He said the Sixers had a habit of playing to the level of their opponent, which could serve them well if they continue the trend for the next section of games.

"Looking ahead, we want to take the positives out of every situation," Green said. "And these are crucial games for us coming up."

Despite Monday night's woes on the offensive end - shooting of 39.5 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from the three-point line - coach Maurice Cheeks said change must occur on the defensive side of the ball.

"We couldn't get stops," said Cheeks, who pointed toward poor pick-and-roll defense as the most glaring weakness. "I still say we have to be able to defend."

Contact staff writer Kate Fagan at 856-779-3844 or kfagan@phillynews.com.