Nets Hang On To Top The Sixers, 94-87
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Thaddeus Young scored 21 points and the Brooklyn Nets snapped a five-game losing streak with a 94-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.
Joe Johnson added 15 points and Jarrett Jack contributed 12 for the Nets, who moved within three games of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
Brooklyn had allowed 106.6 points per game during its skid.
Nerlens Noel scored 17 points for Philadelphia. Isaiah Canaan added 13 and Hollis Thompson had 12.
The Nets extended their eight-point lead to open the fourth quarter to as many as 11 early in the period. Philadelphia battled back within two points twice down the stretch, the latter time on Noel's alley-oop dunk on a pass from Ish Smith with 3:37 left. Thompson could've put the 76ers in front on their ensuing possession, but he missed a 3-point attempt.
The Nets took advantage by tallying the next six points, capped by Young's floater with 1:19 remaining that put Brooklyn up 93-85.
The 21 points were the most Young has scored in his 12 games with the Nets since being traded from Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Young, who also had nine rebounds, played the first seven seasons of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to the Timberwolves in the offseason.
Brooklyn dominated the third quarter, outscoring Philadelphia by 13 points to enter the fourth up 74-66. The 76ers, who led 56-51 at the break, shot 23.8 percent (5-for-21) in the period.
Noel's dunk with 6:38 left in the third gave Philadelphia a 62-61 lead, but Young tallied seven straight to begin an 11-2 Nets run over the next 4:27 that put the visitors ahead 72-64 with 2:11 left in the quarter.
The win helped Brooklyn in its quest for its third playoff appearance in three seasons since relocating from New Jersey. Philadelphia has no playoff aspirations; rather, the 76ers are simply trying to position themselves for the best pick possible in June's draft.
Their recent play, though, hasn't helped the plan.
The 76ers entered with the third-worst record in the league, above only the Knicks and Timberwolves, but they have been playing better of late. Philadelphia had won two of its previous three, including a 92-84 victory over Eastern Conference-leading Atlanta on March 7, a game in which the Hawks rested three starters.
The only loss in the stretch was a 104-95 overtime defeat to the Eastern Conference-contending Bulls.
TIP-INS
Nets: Young made his second trip back to Philadelphia since the trade after earlier this season playing here as a member of the Timberwolves. . Alan Anderson returned to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's 104-98 loss at Miami due to a back injury. He finished with 10 points.
76ers: Luc Mbah a Moute (rest) didn't play. .. Coach Brett Brown, in the pregame, praised the team's chemistry "despite the gypsy-like lineup we've had from time to time." . Glenn Robinson III saw his first action since being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on March 7. Robinson went scoreless in seven minutes.
UP NEXT
Nets: Visit Minnesota on Monday.
76ers: Visit Boston on Monday.
(© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
