76ers defeat Nets, wrap up playoff spot

NEWARK -- The 76ers clinched the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference Monday night, moving into a tie with the Knicks and still vying for the dubious honor of finishing seventh.

Thaddeus Young scored all 15 of his points in the second half to help the 76ers defeat the Nets, 105-87, and make the postseason for the second straight year. The Sixers' win eliminated the Milwaukee Bucks from playoff contention.

"I just told them how proud I am," 76ers coach Doug Collins said. "You look at our team last year. We were a .500 team and now we're four games over. The guys really came back strong. The thing I was happy about is that they got it to within one but we sustained our composure."

It was a milestone night for the Nets as they played their final game in New Jersey after a 35-year run and before a move to Brooklyn. But it was a much more productive night for the visitors, who secured one of the conference's eight places in the postseason.

What remains is the question: Would it be better to finish eighth than seventh? The way things look now, it appears that the team finishing lower might have a better chance in the first round, likely drawing a matchup with the Bulls rather than the Heat. In any event, with the Knicks and Sixers each 34-30, there still is a mathematical possibility of tying the Magic (36-28) for the sixth spot.

Anyway, that was not a worry for the 76ers, who had been reeling lately, having lost eight of 11 in a recent stretch and having witnessed rumors of dissension.

Jrue Holiday and Elton Brand also scored 15 points and Andre Iguodala had 14 points and nine assists for the 76ers, who held off a rally by the Nets.

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Deron Williams did not play for the Nets because of a calf injury. The home side, boosted by a rare big and partisan crowd, cut the deficit to one point during the third quarter. But it was Philadelphia's night.