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Iguodala, Sixers beat Pistons

Apr 10, 2008 - 3:30 AM By Michael Luongo PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Andre Iguodala scored 25 points and Samuel Dalembert added 20 and 13 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers posted a 101-94 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday night.

Despite the win, the Sixers (40-38) remained three games behind fourth-place Cleveland (43-35) for home-court advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

"That was a nice win for us," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, who left the game late in the fourth quarter with flu-like symptoms. "We're just trying to play consistent basketball. Detroit didn't play all of their guys because they are locked in. Our focus was on us and not them."

"It was important win for us especially when we're trying to better ourselves as far as playoff seeding goes," 76ers guard Willie Green said. "It was important for us to try to play Sixers basketball and, for the most part, we did that."

The Sixers took a 72-63 lead with 3:22 left in the third quarter on Green's fast-break jam. Detroit pulled within four when Tayshaun Price converted a three-point play, but rookie Jason Smith hit a pair of jumpers to give Philadelphia an 81-73 lead heading into the fourth.

"I always say that if we get off to a great start, the bench can come in and take care of the rest," said Prince, who finished with nine points. "The last two games we've really got off to slow starts. As starters, we've put ourselves in a bad position."

Iguodala's 3-pointer pushed Philadelphia's lead to 88-74 with 10:31 to remaining. The Pistons attempted one last rally, cutting the deficit to 93-88 with 3:31 left on Walter Herrmann's 3-pointer from the right corner, but Iguodala scored six of the 76ers' final eight points.

"I definitely want to be solid on both ends of the court," Iguodala said. "I want to be efficient on both ends of the court I want to be where I am supposed to be, getting steals and getting fast breaks." "The way (Iguodala) played was the way he has been playing all season," Cheeks said. "He scores, he defends, he rebounds, and he passes the ball."

Chauncey Billups carried the load with 18 points for the Pistons, who gave up 29 fast-break points. It was just the third time Detroit has dropped consecutive games this season.

"They are one of the best in the league at the fast break," Billups said. "If you are going to beat them, you have to contain them. If you don't, you are going to be at the short end of the stick."