Sixers could clinch playoff spot tonight

By Shawn Clarke

The Philadelphia 76ers have proven they are capable of playing with the big boys in the league and that could result in some postseason success.

The playoff-hopeful 76ers are still striving for a postseason spot and will continue their quest tonight at home versus the Houston Rockets. Philadelphia just beat the Eastern Conference's top team, the Chicago Bulls, with Monday's 97-85 road triumph at the United Center.

Thaddeus Young had a big night with 21 points and seven rebounds in a reserve role, and was able to come back after a groin issue. Andre Iguodala contributed 19 points, seven boards and seven assists for the 76ers, who ended Chicago's 14-game home winning streak and prevailed for the fourth time in seven tries. Philly also bounced back from a brief two-game slide.

"We had to play with some poise and that's what we did down the stretch," said Sixers forward Elton Brand, who ended with 13 points and nine rebounds. "We all chipped in and it was a team effort."

The Sixers are currently sixth in the conference standings, two games ahead of New York and four behind Atlanta with eight to play and their magic number for a postseason  berth is down to two. They will clinch a playoff spot tonight with a win and a Charlotte loss. The Bobcats host Cleveland in the Queen City tonight.

Philadelphia will also host New Jersey on this short homestand at Wells Fargo Center and is 23-12 in the City of Brotherly Love this season.

Houston is two games behind Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West and has won six of its last seven games.

In a 112-87 victory in New Jersey last night, Kevin Martin had 20 points, Kyle Lowry shook off a foot ailment to post 16 points and 10 assists and Chuck Hayes grabbed 14 rebounds to go with his eight points for the Rockets, who got 13 points apiece from Goran Dragic and Patrick Patterson.

"We just play. We're just playing good basketball," Lowry said. "Everyone knows their role and everyone knows the type of situation we're going to be in. We're just trying to get as many wins as we possibly can to try to make our push."

The Rockets are 1-1 on a three-game road swing and 17-21 as the guest.

Philadelphia beat Houston, 114-105, on Feb. 16 this season at the Toyota Center behind 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists from Iguodala. The 76ers have won two in a row and six of seven meetings with the Rockets.