Bulls, Sixers battle for playoff spot

The Bulls are one game ahead of the Sixers for the eighth spot in the East.

Chicago enters tonight’s contest on a four-game winning streak. A win tonight would give the Bulls a season-high five straight wins.

The Bulls last win cam against Philadelphia. On Wednesday, Andres Nocioni and Ben Gordon each scored 21 points, as Chicago Bulls knocked off the Sixers, 99-92, at the Wachovia Center.

Nocioni also pulled down 13 rebounds, while Tyson Chandler grabbed 15 boards to go along with nine points in the win over Philadelphia for Bulls, who have won six of their last seven contests overall.

Chicago, which will host the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday, is 18-19 at the United Center this season. The Bulls have won two in a row as the host.

Philadelphia enters tonight’s contest on a three-game losing streak. On Friday, Paul Pierce had 33 points, 12 rebounds and six assists to lead the Boston Celtics to a 109-99 victory over the Sixers at the Wachovia Center.

Allen Iverson had 37 points and five assists and Chris Webber added 18 points and 11 boards in the loss to Boston for the Sixers, who have dropped 10 of their last 13 games overall.

The Sixers are 13-23 on the road this season.

Chicago has won two of the three meetings between the squads this season. The Sixers have lost two straight in the Windy City.