Nets Beat Sixers, 104-83
NEW YORK (AP) — Brook Lopez had 29 points and 11 rebounds, Reggie Evans added 17 points and 24 boards, and the Brooklyn Nets firmly held their ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 104-83 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night.
Deron Williams and Joe Johnson had 11 points apiece for the Nets, who began the day with a two-game lead over Chicago for the No. 4 seed in the East and home-court advantage against their likely first round foe.
Reserve guard MarShon Brooks had 11 points and seven assists for the Nets, winners of two straight overall and three of four in the season series against the 76ers. The Nets play at Boston on Wednesday night and have four games remaining.
Nick Young had 18 points and Jrue Holiday scored 15 for the Philadelphia, which has lost two straight.
Lopez and Evans combined for 25 of Brooklyn's 31 first quarter points to give the Nets a 31-18 lead.
Philadelphia got as close as five points after Young fadeway jumper made it 38-33 with 7:46 remaining in the second quarter. However, the Nets closed out the first half on 18-5 run to take a 56-38 lead at the break.
The Nets, who led by as many as 28 points, outrebounded Philadelphia 67-34, blocked seven shots and limited the 76ers to 38 percent shooting (30 for 80).
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