Bulls on the move in the East

The Chicago Bulls, who were the fourth seed in the East last season, moved a 1/2 game ahead of Philadelphia for the eighth and final playoff spot in the conference with Wednesday’s win over the 76ers.

Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon both had 21 points in the 99-92 victory at the Wachovia Center and helped the Bulls to their fourth straight win and sixth in seven tries. Nocioni has posted five consecutive double-doubles.

Chicago, which is only 1 1/2 games behind Indiana for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, was 3 1/2 games out of the eighth spot less than three ago.

The Bulls made their first playoff appearance in seven years last season and should make it two straight years barring any injuries. Philly is playing horribly right now and the Pacers just ended a lengthy losing streak.

Chicago will host the Sixers on Saturday in a crucial matchup at the United Center. Philadelphia, losers of nine of their last 12 games, is 1-2 so far this season against the Bulls.

The Bulls are 4-6 in the last 10 meetings with Philadelphia, which has lost two straight after winning its last three in the Windy City.