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Bulls hope to pull closer to postseason berth

Apr 8, 2009 - 7:24 PM Philadelphia (40-37) at Chicago (38-40) 8:00 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- The Chicago Bulls got very lucky last year when they ended up with the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. They're on the verge of another positive development this season - one that they've had to earn with strong play.

The Bulls look to take another step toward a playoff spot Thursday night as they go for their sixth straight home victory in a matchup with the struggling Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bulls (38-40) can secure their return to the postseason after a one-year absence if they beat Philadelphia and Charlotte loses to Oklahoma City on Friday night.

The highlight for the Bulls last season came after they were done playing. Chicago ended up in the lottery and won the top overall pick despite having a 1.7 percent chance of doing so.

The Bulls turned that pick into promising point guard Derrick Rose, who could find himself playing in the postseason as a rookie.

"Every win is great for us, because it keeps our confidence going, it keeps our momentum going," said forward John Salmons, who was acquired from Sacramento shortly before the trade deadline and has helped key Chicago's surge. "We definitely want to clinch a playoff spot as fast as possible."

Chicago has moved to the brink of an Eastern Conference playoff berth due largely to its dominant play at home since late February. The Bulls have won five straight and 12 of their last 13 at the United Center, and are battling Detroit for the seventh seed. They've also pulled within 2 1/2 games of sixth-place Philadelphia (40-37).

The Bulls kept the pressure on in those races by defeating New York 110-103 at the United Center on Tuesday night. Salmons had 19 points, six rebounds, six assists and five steals, while Kirk Hinrich scored a team-high 25 points off the bench.

Hinrich had four points during a 15-0 run in the fourth quarter that erased a five-point deficit with 9:23 remaining.

"We were just attacking," Hinrich said. "We were able to play a little bit more in transition. Guys were just being aggressive, making plays."

Salmons has been doing that over the last 11 games, as he's averaging 22.0 points in that span.

While the 76ers have a bit of a cushion over the Bulls, it won't last long if they don't start playing better.

After posting a season-low point total in a 96-67 loss to New Jersey on Sunday, the 76ers fell 101-98 at Charlotte on Tuesday for their third straight road defeat and second consecutive loss overall since a three-game win streak.

Philadelphia erased a 20-point second-quarter deficit and took a three-point lead with 1:42 remaining Tuesday, but was outscored 6-0 the rest of the way.

"We just want to go into the playoffs playing our best basketball," said forward Andre Iguodala, who scored 12 of his 19 points after halftime. "I think we played great in the second half. We just need to carry that good play into the playoffs.

"These next few regular season games will be very important."

Andre Miller had 23 points and Louis Williams added 20 for the Sixers.

Philadelphia fell a half-game behind Miami, and it faces a brutal closing stretch as it tries to regain fifth place in the East. The 76ers have two games against conference-leading Cleveland and one at Boston among their final five games.

While the Bulls have been tough to beat at home and Philadelphia is struggling on the road, the Sixers have won three straight in Chicago, taking the most recent meeting there 103-95 in overtime Dec. 2.

Iguodala is averaging 21.6 points against the Bulls over the last two seasons and 24.0 in the last three games at the United Center.