Allen Iverson hasn't gotten past the first round of the playoffs since leaving the Philadelphia 76ers. Perhaps joining the Detroit Pistons will help the star guard end his postseason rut.

Iverson will face the 76ers in a new jersey yet again, leading the Pistons on Friday night in a rematch of last season's opening-round playoff series between the teams.

Iverson, selected No. 1 overall by Philadelphia in the 1996 draft, was traded from Denver to Detroit on Nov. 3, nearly two years after the 76ers dealt him to the Nuggets. He lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of his two postseason appearances with Denver, but hopes he's found a home on a Pistons team that advanced to the Eastern Conference finals last season.

Detroit's playoff run began with a first-round matchup against Philadelphia, winning the series in six games.

That was the 76ers' first playoff appearance since trading Iverson. They haven't reached the second round since 2002-03, when Iverson averaged 31.7 points per game in the postseason.

While Philadelphia (8-11) has been struggling, Detroit (11-6) is trying to prove it has what it takes to go deep into the playoffs again.

The Pistons are coming off one of their biggest wins of the season, 89-77 at San Antonio on Tuesday night. Detroit has had some trouble jelling since acquiring Iverson, but can point to victories over the Spurs, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers as evidence that it has the potential to develop into a power in the East.

"Go out and just play hard, play harder than the other team, and then we'll work everything out," Pistons coach Michael Curry said. "The timing we need as a unit, we'll get. Everybody being on the same page, we'll get if we just take care of the basketball and protect the paint."

Iverson had 19 points, six assists and four steals versus San Antonio, two days after tying a season low with nine points in a 96-85 loss to Portland. He's averaging 33.3 points and 8.3 assists while shooting 47.1 percent (8-for-17) from 3-point range in three career games against Philadelphia.

The Sixers are in no shape to withstand another big game from Iverson. Philadelphia has lost five of six, and star forward Elton Brand will be sidelined Friday with a strained right hamstring.

Brand suffered the injury in the Sixers' 114-103 loss to the Lakers on Wednesday night, when he was limited to three points on 1-for-7 shooting in 25 ineffective minutes.

The Sixers can't afford a serious injury to Brand, who's listed as day-to-day, if they hope to make a move in the East. Brand leads Philadelphia with 16.7 points and 10.0 rebounds a game.

Team president Ed Stefanski isn't shocked Philadelphia is having trouble adjusting to new roles that came with Brand's free-agent arrival. Stefanski said he's always looking at ways to make the Sixers better, but it's not necessarily time for major moves yet.

"You'll never hear patience come out of my mouth," Stefanski said. "I'm one of the fans. I know how they are. I'm not going to use that word."

Detroit and Philadelphia split four regular-season meetings in 2007-08.