Ashley McGeachy-Fox of the Inquirer reports that the Sixers are hard at work on solving the Celtics. In three lengthy practices this week, Larry Brown has provided ways the Sixers can avenge their 92-82 loss in Game 1 of this best-of-five series. Drive and dish to an open shooter to break the Celtics' zone. Have Dikembe Mutombo and Derrick Coleman dominate defensively. Match Boston's energy and intensity, and do it early. Move the ball. Make shots. Defend against Paul Pierce.

And perhaps most important, Brown wants the Sixers to play well early. A series of early victories would help the Sixers' collective confidence, which was shaken by that Game 1 loss.

"I like my team," Brown said. "These guys have always responded well to challenges, and we have a big challenge ahead of us because we're playing against a team that's played great all year, and was tremendous against us the other day. I expect them to play the same way, so we're going to have to bring our A game."