The Sixers lost for the sixth time in seven games Wednesday, 92-88, to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Wells Fargo Center.

Afterward, Doug Collins was philosophical, understanding that his team had several chances to win, didn't, and will have to improve. That was a departure from his mood over the All-Star break, when he admits to losing so much sleep worrying about a five-game losing streak that it cause him dehydration and, ultimately, a dizzy spell that caused him to leave a game early in Detroit.

Collins credits a phone call he made to his former coach and teammate Billy Cunningham, who advised him to remain calm and that eventually success would follow. He also took great value from an article he read about Tom Coughlin, whose New York Giants struggled at times during the last NFL season ... only to have everything work at the end and win a Super Bowl.

"We'ver got to get shots and we've got to make them," Collins said. "That's all. That's just what we've got to do. What do you want me to say? I don't know what else I can say. Run a play and try to get a good shot ... I wish I had the answer. If that was the case, we wouldn't have lost tonight."

Check out my column in the Daily Times Thursday and, as always, on delcotimes.com