Bynum, their big offseason acquisition, again expressed optimism he'd finally be ready to play around next month's All-Star game. Bynum has sat out the season because of bone bruises on both his knees. He practiced jump shots with the Sixers at the morning's shootaround and insisted he was pain free.

Bynum, a free agent at the end of the year, has no intention of rushing back. There's still plenty he has to work on before he's cleared.

"It's going to be defensive slides, cutting, running full speed and stopping, backpedaling, jumping," he said. "Explosive stuff."

Bynum wasn't the only reason the Sixers' locker room was buzzing before the game. Former great Charles Barkley — his retired No. 34 hangs in the rafters — called the game for TNT and was a pregame visitor. Barkley received a huge standing ovation when the Sixers aired a video tribute to him.

NOTES: The Spurs won for the 14th time in 17 games. ... The Spurs had averaged 98.0 points in their previous 10 road games. ... The Spurs were 19 of 26 from the free throw line; the 76ers 7 of 11.