SIXERS NEWS

The last time the Sixers went up against the Houston Rockets at the comfy home confines of the Wachovia center the results were downright embarrassing, in fact more embarrassing than ever before, as the Rockets defeated the Sixers by 50 points. Tonight, the Sixers gained a measure of revenge and their third straight victory, nearly returning the favor in the process. Offensively, five Sixers scored in double figures (Andre Miller, Willie Green, Reggie Evans, Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver) with Willie Green's 20 leading the way. Also for the fourth game in a row Andre Miller reached double digits in assists with 12, and again the Sixers performed in sync with their play maker hitting on all cylinders. Thus, it seems it is finally Miller time again at the Wachovia center. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert was dominant again with 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. Still despite his best efforts the Sixers finished on the short end of the rebounding stick, 43-35, but conversely had nearly twice as many assists as the Rockets and shot for a higher percentage from the field and from beyond the arc, which was ultimately the difference. As for the game, the Sixers jumped out to an early 6 point 30-24 lead through 1 quarter. By halftime that lead was up to 14 (56-42). In the 3rd quarter the Sixers continued to dominate leading by 31 at one point, before settling for a 26 point lead (86-60) heading into the 4th quarter. There the Sixers almost gave it away, as the Rockets rallied to within 10, but they regained composure at the right moment and ran away with an easy 100-88 victory. So the Sixers improve to 8-13 overall, but remain in 4th place in the Atlantic division.