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Nets' skid reaches eight with loss to Sixers

Dec 15, 2010 - 3:47 AM Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Jrue Holiday scored 19 points, Spencer Hawes had 18 and Philadelphia dealt New Jersey its eighth straight loss with an 82-77 victory.

Elton Brand added 15 points and Jodie Meeks scored 12 for the 76ers, who have won six of their last eight games after beginning the season 3-13.

Forward Andre Iguodala was the only Philadelphia starter who didn't score in double digits, but he did make two key free throws in the final moments after the Nets pulled within three points.

"We did just enough to win the game tonight," said Sixers head coach Doug Collins.

Brook Lopez scored 16 points to lead New Jersey, while Devin Harris and Travis Outlaw both chipped in 14.

The Nets have the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 6-19, but appear to be picking up a pair of No. 1 draft picks.

New Jersey will deal forward Joe Smith to the Lakers for guard Sasha Vujacic and a first-round pick in 2011, according to a report Tuesday by the Los Angeles Times.

The Houston Chronicle reported the Nets will also trade forward Terrence Williams to the Rockets for a first-round selection in 2012.

Currently, though, the Nets are struggling. Although they had enough fight in them Tuesday to battle back from an 11-point deficit in the final minutes against the Sixers.

Iguodala only had eight points on 2-of-9 shooting, but one of his baskets came on a highlight-reel reverse dunk that made it 73-62 with 4:23 left in the game.

The Nets chipped away and pulled within 78-75 on Outlaw's three-pointer with 34.6 seconds remaining.

But Iguodala made a pair of foul shots at the other end for a five-point lead and Outlaw missed another three.

Meeks also hit two free throws, icing the game for the Sixers with 7.7 seconds left. The Nets got their last two points on Jordan Farmar's lay in near the end.

It marked Philadelphia's second road win of the season, and first since November 7 at New York.

"We still made way too many mistakes at the end of the game," said Collins. "But we did get the win, which is the most important thing."

The Sixers also led by 11 points in the first quarter on the way to a 26-20 advantage heading into the second, and they were ahead 40-34 at halftime.

New Jersey pulled within four points at 59-55 heading into the fourth quarter.

Game Notes

Nets guard Anthony Morrow played 33 seconds and left with a hamstring injury...Both teams committed 14 turnovers...New Jersey's bench outscored Philadelphia's 39-10.