The Sixers could have clinched a postseason spot tonight with a win and a Charlotte loss but the Bobcats hung on to defeat lowly Cleveland, 98-97, in the Queen City.
Philadelphia's magic number to secure a playoff slot is now just one with seven games to play and the team could do it with a win over New Jersey at Wells Fargo Center on Friday.
"One step closer, 39 wins now, which is fabulous," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "We don't lose two in a row at home which is great. This Houston team has been playing great, great basketball so that was a very quality win for us tonight."
Andre Iguodala was ineffective offensively, scoring just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting but dished out 10 assists and snared eight rebounds.
Former Villanova star Kyle Lowry, who has a career-high 36 points against the Sixers earlier this season in south Texas, led the Rockets with 19 points. Kevin Martin netted 18 points, while Luis Scola had 16 and Chase Budinger finished with 15 for Houston, which lost for the second time in three games and fell further back of Memphis for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
"In the start of the fourth quarter, they opened it up and, like I said, we just didn't have enough energy to come back and make stops," Rockets coach Rick Adelman said.
SIX SHOTS:
*The Sixers had 12 assists in the first quarter, their high water mark for helpers in any frame this season.
*Attendance was 16,635.
*Philadelphia finished the season with a 16-14 mark against the Western Conference.
*Sixers swept the season series versus Houston for the third time in four seasons.
*Philly is 6-1 in 2010-11 when recording 30-or-more assists.
*Holiday has 12 double-doubles.
*Young outscored the entire Rockets bench 22-20. The Sixers are 10-2 when Thad scores 20-or-more.
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