Sixers rally to top Hawks; climb closer to fifth spot in the East

Philadelphia - If the Sixers had any intention of climbing to the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Doug Collins' club had to take care of business against the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

The Hawks, who currently hold down the fifth spot, arrived in Philly with a 3 1/2 game lead over a well-rested Sixers team that was back in the City of Brotherly Love after a 2-3 road trip.

It didn't look good for Philadelphia for most of the night as the Sixers struggled to contain the explosive Josh Smith and trailed by as many as 11 points before a 14-0 run that bridged the end of the third quarter and the
beginning of the fourth turned things around in a 105-100 Philly win.

"That was one of the most gratifying wins this season for me," said Collins.

As it has done so many time this season, it was the bench, led by Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young, that rescued the Sixers. Williams finished with 17 points while Young added 16 and six rebounds in the win.

"Thad was so active tonight that he got out and dug some balls out. He was so quick to the rim," Collins added.

Jodie Meeks made 5-of-6 three-pointers en route to 15 points for Philadelphia, which has won three of four overall and is now two games behind Atlanta in the loss column and 1 1/2 games ahead of New York. Elton Brand donated 13 points and 11 rebounds while Jrue Holiday and Spencer Hawes tallied 12 and 10 points,

respectively.

Andre Iguodala netted 16 points, five rebounds and four assists despite being slowed by chondromalacia in his right knee. The swingman wore a sleeve on his right leg and was clearly labored at times.

"I'm learning how to come down on one leg when I shoot to lessen the pressure," Iguodala said.

Smith finished with 33 points, one off his season-high, and 12 boards for Atlanta, which failed to lock up a postseason berth for the second straight night and has lost four of five overall. Kirk Hinrich and Marvin Williams each chipped in with 16 points.

The Hawks were coming off an embarrassing 114-81 setback to the Eastern Conference's top team, Chicago, on Tuesday.

Six Shots:

*The Sixers set a floor record for the fewest free throws made and attempted through the half and third quarter. Philadelphia attempted just one free throw by Brand through three quarters. They ended up with 18, however, as Atlanta was forced to foul quite a bit in the waning seconds.

*Philadelphia is 22-7 at home since starting the season 1-4. The team won only 12 home games all of last season.

*Brand has 23 double-doubles this season.

*The Sixers are 12-3 when Hawes scores 10-or-more.

*Meeks now has 121 three-pointers this season, the most by a Sixer since Kyle Korver made 132 in 2006-07.

*Attendance was 15,199.