As a franchise, the Sixers took a giant step forward. Their 89-82 win gave them a 3-1 first-round lead over the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

As an emerging franchise, anything but a win would have created a different image; one having to do with the Sixers’ throats, and their inability to breathe and swallow.

As it stands, to borrow and to alter a phrase, this is not a choking situation.

That was averted.

“Absolutely accurate. Absolutely accurate,” said veteran Elton Brand, who in his reconstructed career has turned into Dennis Rodman. “If we lost today, it would affect our mentality. Our organization. Our franchise. Our talent level. Just all we’re doing here.

“We still have to fight to win this series. But this game, at home, to really take the driver’s seat – we had to have this. For the growth of the young guys.”

via Marcus Hayes of The Philadelphia Inquirer