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Sixers snatch crucial victory
Source: Agencies |
April 1, 2011, Friday
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THE Philadelphia 76ers took another step toward returning to the playoffs while damaging Houston's post-season ambitions in a 108-97 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday.
Philadelphia, under first year coach Doug Collins, have enjoyed a resurgence and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 39-36 record. It won just 27 games last season.
"That's the goal, to keep getting better from here on out," said 76ers forward Elton Brand. "We're one step closer. We really wanted to get this win."
Guard Jrue Holiday recorded 24 points and 12 assists, Thaddeus Young added 22 points and the 76ers put the game out of reach with a 14-4 run in the fourth that gave them a 102-90 lead with 2:32 remaining.
Houston (39-36) fell three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Kyle Lowry had 19 points and Kevin Martin added 18 but the Rockets slipped up after having won six of their previous seven games.
Houston built a 76-70 lead late in the third before Philadelphia turned the momentum and grabbed a two-point lead by the end of the quarter, which it held to the end of the game.
Philadelphia started the season with a record of 3-13 but has turned things around with a complete team effort. Lou Williams came off the bench to score 15 points while starter Andre Iguodala made 10 assists and their defense held the Rockets to just 41 percent shooting from the field.
In Washington, LeBron James scored 35 points and Dwyane Wade added 33 as the Miami Heat fought off a Washington comeback and defeated the lowly Wizards 123-107.
James added eight rebounds and eight assists and Chris Bosh scored 26 points to help Miami avoid what would have been a second consecutive embarrassing loss. The Heat fell to last-place Cleveland on Tuesday.
The Heat led by as many as 13 before the Wizards made it a one-point game in the fourth quarter, even after their best player, John Wall, was ejected. But Wade responded with a three-point play, and Washington never got closer than two.
Kicked out
Wall was kicked out of the game after a skirmish with Miami center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with 8:48 left in the first half and Washington leading 37-36. Ilgauskas and Miami reserve Juwan Howard were also ejected from the game.
In Minneapolis, Derrick Rose had 23 points and 10 assists in three quarters to help Chicago remain 2? games ahead of Boston and Miami in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls outlasted the Timberwolves 108-91. Carlos Boozer added 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who recorded 31 assists on 41 field goals.
Kevin Love had 16 points and nine rebounds, but was limited to 27 minutes in his first game back with the Timberwolves after injuring his groin. Minnesota lost its eighth straight game.
Elsewhere in NBA, it was: Hawks 85, Magic 82; Thunder 116, Suns 98; Hornets 95, Trail Blazers 91; Knicks 120, Nets 116; Mavericks 106, Clippers 100; Grizzlies 110, Warriors 91; Pacers 111, Pistons 101; Nuggets 104, Kings 90; Bobcats 98, Cavaliers 97; and Bucks 104, Raptors 98.
Philadelphia, under first year coach Doug Collins, have enjoyed a resurgence and is currently sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 39-36 record. It won just 27 games last season.
"That's the goal, to keep getting better from here on out," said 76ers forward Elton Brand. "We're one step closer. We really wanted to get this win."
Guard Jrue Holiday recorded 24 points and 12 assists, Thaddeus Young added 22 points and the 76ers put the game out of reach with a 14-4 run in the fourth that gave them a 102-90 lead with 2:32 remaining.
Houston (39-36) fell three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Kyle Lowry had 19 points and Kevin Martin added 18 but the Rockets slipped up after having won six of their previous seven games.
Houston built a 76-70 lead late in the third before Philadelphia turned the momentum and grabbed a two-point lead by the end of the quarter, which it held to the end of the game.
Philadelphia started the season with a record of 3-13 but has turned things around with a complete team effort. Lou Williams came off the bench to score 15 points while starter Andre Iguodala made 10 assists and their defense held the Rockets to just 41 percent shooting from the field.
In Washington, LeBron James scored 35 points and Dwyane Wade added 33 as the Miami Heat fought off a Washington comeback and defeated the lowly Wizards 123-107.
James added eight rebounds and eight assists and Chris Bosh scored 26 points to help Miami avoid what would have been a second consecutive embarrassing loss. The Heat fell to last-place Cleveland on Tuesday.
The Heat led by as many as 13 before the Wizards made it a one-point game in the fourth quarter, even after their best player, John Wall, was ejected. But Wade responded with a three-point play, and Washington never got closer than two.
Kicked out
Wall was kicked out of the game after a skirmish with Miami center Zydrunas Ilgauskas with 8:48 left in the first half and Washington leading 37-36. Ilgauskas and Miami reserve Juwan Howard were also ejected from the game.
In Minneapolis, Derrick Rose had 23 points and 10 assists in three quarters to help Chicago remain 2? games ahead of Boston and Miami in the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls outlasted the Timberwolves 108-91. Carlos Boozer added 24 points and 14 rebounds for the Bulls, who recorded 31 assists on 41 field goals.
Kevin Love had 16 points and nine rebounds, but was limited to 27 minutes in his first game back with the Timberwolves after injuring his groin. Minnesota lost its eighth straight game.
Elsewhere in NBA, it was: Hawks 85, Magic 82; Thunder 116, Suns 98; Hornets 95, Trail Blazers 91; Knicks 120, Nets 116; Mavericks 106, Clippers 100; Grizzlies 110, Warriors 91; Pacers 111, Pistons 101; Nuggets 104, Kings 90; Bobcats 98, Cavaliers 97; and Bucks 104, Raptors 98.
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