Sam Hinkie spent Tuesday in Chicago watching Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker and Julius Randle, in some order or another, in a college basketball doubleheader.

A night later, the Sixers' G.M. might have been wondering why he wasted a trip on a scouting mission for the top three projected players in the next draft.

With a 123-117 overtime victory over the Houston Rockets Wednesday, the Sixers improved to 5-4 ... and in impression fashion, sharing the ball, making key free throws, defending with passion late in the game.

Asked if he was surprised at that record, coach Brett Brown said, "Yes ... I am."

Many would be. According to Las Vegas, the Sixers would not win 17 times this season. They may not. But they only need 12 more wins ... and that doesn't seem an outrageous proposition. Suddenly, they look like anything but a team shooting only for a spot high in the lottery.

"We fight," Thad Young said. "And we fight. And we fight. That's what we do."

Hinkie helped build the Rockets, who should contend this season. He is helping to do the same with the Sixers ... who may contend sooner than later.

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