OKC Thunder notebook: Philadelphia 76ers coach Doug Collins says time will tell on Harden trade

Collins and several Sixers players spoke admirably of the atmosphere at The Peake.

“What you live for as a player is atmosphere,” Collins said. “When you're playing a long season, that energy in that building is important, especially as a player. You get in front of that home crowd and you've been on a road, you come back and you're a little tired, the energy of that crowd is great.

“This place is terrific. I remember doing the Lakers-OKC playoffs (as a television analyst). It was spectacular, just coming in here. These people love this team. … This is their team. You've got college football (here) and the Thunder.”

TIP-INS

The Thunder is now 6-1 (.857) after a loss this season and 41-10 (.804) after a loss the last three seasons. Only Chicago (40-8) has a better bounce-back record in that same span. … In attendance were country singer and OKC native Vince Gill and R&B artist Keri Hilson, who is Ibaka's girlfriend. … In this season's previous meeting, the Thunder took 37 free throws to Philadelphia's 17. On Friday. OKC attempted 27 free throws to eight for the Sixers. … Sunday's game at Toronto has a noon tip and Monday's game at Washington starts at 6 p.m. … Friday was the Sixers' seventh stop in their eight-game road trip that ends Saturday at San Antonio. The last time Philadelphia played a home game was Dec 21.

QUOTABLE

Collins on the Thunder trading away Harden due to financial considerations: “The one sad thing about the NBA in some situations is when you have a great team and you can't keep it together because of money. That's sad. You've got to make financial decisions. To think of this (OKC) team being together with Harden for four or five or six years … But that's the economics of the NBA.”