Sixers' Igoudala scores 27 in win over Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - March 23, 2009 Thaddeus Young scored 22 points for the 76ers, who shot nearly 60 percent and never let their lead fall below double digits after taking a 17-5 lead midway through the first quarter. Louis Williams scored 18 points, Marreese Speights had 15 points and Willie Green added 10 for Philadelphia.

Francisco Garcia made six 3-pointers and scored 24 points for the Kings, who outscored the 76ers 26-17 in the fourth quarter but couldn't get closer than 11. Spencer Hawes had 17 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists to narrowly miss first career triple double. Kevin Martin scored 16 and Jason Thompson had 12 points and 13 rebounds.

After hitting all seven shots in the opening half, Iguodala finished two alleyoop dunks and made an outside shot early in the third quarter, when the lead reached 29 points. He made 10 of 14 shots overall.

The win gives Philadelphia (35-33) a 1½ game lead over seventh place Detroit in the Eastern Conference playoff. The 76ers trail fifth place Miami by 1½ games.

Philadelphia entered hoping to salvage a five-game road trip that began with Iguodala beating the Lakers with a 3-pointer in the closing seconds. The 76ers lost the next two games to Phoenix and Golden State, and conclude the trip Monday night in Portland.

The Kings, who beat New York on Friday by 27 points, finished the season 1-29 against the Eastern Conference. The Clippers had the previous worst interconference record at 1-21 in 1986-87.

Leading by 18 points heading into the second quarter, the 76ers used their reserves to built on the lead. Speights scored 12 points in the period, Rush had eight and Williams added seven points for the 76ers, who led 69-43 after playing an efficient first half.

Despite playing only four minutes in the second quarter, Iguodala scored 20 points in the first half for the 76ers.

Philadelphia shot 67 percent overall and made 7-of-9 3-pointers in the first half.

Iguodala made six shots in the first period, which included two 3-pointers and a spectacular dunk on the break. He scored 17 points to help Philadelphia take a 35-17 first quarter lead.

Notes: Andres Nocioni missed his third straight game with quadriceps injury. Andre Miller had eight assists and five steals. The Kings had eight turnovers and shot 31 percent in the first quarter.

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