SIXERS NEWS

The Minnesota Timberwolves visited the Wachovia center today and were rudely welcomed by the suddenly hot Sixers who won their 4th game in a row. This time it wasn't as comfortable a win as the first three, but the Sixers pulled it out, thanks to some stellar play on both sides of the floor. Offensively, four Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Samuel Dalembert, Willie Green) with Andre Iguodala's 25 leading the way. Defensively, it was Samuel Dalembert's night, as he pulled down 11 rebounds and blocked 9 shots, yes 9 and Sixers needed every single one of them, for a near triple double. Additionally, Iguodala pulled down 8 rebounds as well, as the Sixers out rebounded the T-Wolves 41-36. As for the game, it was a back and forth slug fest. After the 1st period the Sixers led 28-21. By the half the T-Wolves had rallied back to within 6, with the score 51-45. By the end of the 3rd quarter the T-Wolves had closed to within 5 with the score, 79-74. In the 4th quarter a 3 pointer by Antoine Walker briefly gave the T-Wolves the lead, but the Sixers clawed back ahead and with 7 seconds to play they lead 96-94 and the T-Wolves had the ball. It came down to Al Jefferson vs. Dalembert. Jefferson beat him off the dribble, but Dalembert stayed with him and blocked Jefferson's shot for his 9th and final block of the night. From there Iguodala sunk two free throws, Rashad Mccants missed a 3 pointer on the next T-wolves possession, and of course Dalembert rebounded the miss to cap off a 98-94 Sixers victory. So the Sixers improve to 9-13 overall and move into a tie for 3rd place in the Atlantic division.