NBA: Iguodala, 76ers eliminate Bulls in six, 79-78

The Philadelphia 76ers eliminated the Chicago Bulls Thursday night (Friday morning, Manila time), 79-78. The winning point came from the line with 2.2 seconds left, when Andre Iguodala sank 2-of-2 from the free-throw line.

 

The 76ers looked confident with the homecrowd behind them, as they cruised to a 48-40 at the half. But in the third, Rip Hamilton scored eight of his own, leading the Bulls to outscore the 76ers, 23-15, to tie the game leading into the  final period.

 

Omer Asik's free throws made it 70-65 for the Bulls seven minutes into the fourth, but consecutive shots by Evan Turner and Iguodala tied it up with 5:50 left in the game. The two teams continued to battle, as Taj Gibson put Chicago up 76-72 with two minutes remaining.

 

A Spencer Hawes layup put Philadelphia within one, 76-75, with 43.8 seconds remaining. Asik responded with a dunk with 25.9 left to stretch the lead to a fragile three points. With 12.8 seconds left, Thaddeus Young drove in with a finger roll to cut the lead to one yet again.

 

With seven seconds left, Hawes sent Asik to the line for two free throws. The Bulls center, however, missed both as Iguodala snatched the rebound with 5.9 seconds left.

 

Asik fouled Iguodala with 2.2 seconds left, leaving the 76er to tie or win it from the line. Iguodala sank both and blocked a CJ Watson desperation three-pointer to win the game for Philadelphia.

 

Iguodala was the hero for the 76ers, scoring 20 points with seven assists and four rebounds in 43 minutes of play. Jrue Holiday and Evan TUrner added 14 and 10, respectively.

 

Luol Deng and Rip Hamilton scored 19 apiece for Chicago, while Taj Gibson added 14 in the losing effort. — Reneé Fopalan/RSJ, GMA News