The Philadelphia 76ers are heading on a road trip that could show if their hot start or recent skid is the true indicator of how good they will be.

The 76ers hope to avoid a fourth consecutive loss on Wednesday as they try to spoil the Seattle SuperSonics' return home after an impressive close to their own road swing.

Not much was expected this season of Philadelphia (3-3), which made few changes to a team that failed to make the playoffs in 2005-06 and whose top players - Allen Iverson and Chris Webber- have crept into their early 30s.

So it was a mild surprise when the 76ers opened 3-0, including a win over defending champion Miami. Philadelphia, though, followed with road losses to Indiana and Toronto before falling 108-101 to visiting Denver on Friday.

The 76ers defense faltered, allowing an average of 103.7 points during the three-game skid. All three teams on this road trip - Seattle, Phoenix and the Los Angeles Clippers - went into Tuesday's action among the league's top 10 in scoring.

``This will tell a lot about our team,'' Iverson said. ``You lose three and you find out what you're about. Honestly, I feel good about it happening so early so we can see what type of team we are.''

Seattle is averaging 105.0 points per game and is among the NBA's best in 3-point shooting at 39.0 percent.

Philadelphia has gone 7-for-32 (21.9 percent) from 3-point range over the past three games, including 1-for-11 from Iverson. He made 6 of 11 3-point attempts during the 3-0 start, scoring more than 30 points in each game, but has averaged 25.3 points over the past three contests.

Sonics leading scorer Ray Allen is also struggling lately from 3-point range, going 2-for-14 in the past two games, but Rashard Lewis and Luke Ridnour have been consistent in that area this season as they've combined to hit nearly 48 percent (34-of-71).

Ridnour scored a career-high 32 points and Lewis added 27 in Seattle's 119-113 road victory over New Jersey on Monday.

The Sonics beat Charlotte, Atlanta and the Nets to close a five-game road trip after starting it with losses by a combined four points in Miami and Orlando.

``We could have done a lot better, but considering the circumstances, now is the time to move forward and go home and protect homecourt,'' said Allen, who had 22 points Monday. ``It feels good to go home and have a three-game winning streak.''

These teams split two meetings last season as each won at home, though an injured Iverson missed the game in Seattle. With a healthy Iverson, Philadelphia has won its last four visits to KeyArena as he's averaged 34.0 points.