Iguodala, Sixers knock off Grizzlies for fifth straight win

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The All-Star break is coming at the worst possible time for the Philadelphia 76ers. They would much rather keep playing.

Andre Iguodala had 29 points, eight rebounds and eight assists as the 76ers won their fifth straight and completed a perfect homestand before the All-Star break with a 102-88 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

"It's unfortunate that the All-Star break is coming now," Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said. "But it is here and we have to think about where we are and where we're trying to get to."

Samuel Dalembert added 16 points and 12 rebounds and Andre Miller had 14 points and 11 assists for the Sixers, who improved to 23-30. Philadelphia has also defeated Washington, Miami, the Los Angeles Clippers and Dallas on its home court since Feb. 5.

The 76ers are in a three-way tie for seventh place in the Eastern Conference with New Jersey and Atlanta.

"It puts us in position to compete for a spot," Iguodala said of the playoffs. "We need to get better and understand that we need to get better as a group."

Hakim Warrick and Rudy Gay scored 23 points each for the Grizzlies (14-38), who dropped their ninth straight road game. Memphis, in last place in the Southwest Division, fell to 4-20 on the road this season. Kyle Lowry contributed 15 points and Mike Miller had 13.

"We're going through some tough times right now," Memphis coach Marc Iavaroni said.

The Sixers scored the first 11 points of the third quarter -- five by Iguodala -- for a commanding 66-45 advantage. Philadelphia went on to hit seven straight field goals en route to a 78-60 lead.

Memphis eventually went on an 11-2 run, including eight points by Warrick, and got within 92-86 on a thunderous dunk by Warrick with 4:08 remaining. But Philadelphia responded with back-to-back baskets by Miller and Iguodala for a 96-86 advantage with 2:45 left.

"Since we traded Pau [Gasol], it's a matter of everyone stepping up," Warrick said. "It isn't just one player who's going to fill his shoes. We all have to step up together and be determined. We can't afford any lapses."

Lou Williams gave the Sixers a 55-45 halftime lead after he hit a 37-foot bank shot just before the buzzer sounded.

Iguodala led the way for Philadelphia with 20 points on 9-of-12 shooting.

"I got a good rhythm going and I got some good shots," Iguodala said.

The Sixers opened the game with a 14-2 advantage and wound up shooting 55 percent from the field, including 5-of-8 from 3-point territory.

Game notes
Iavaroni was honored at halftime as part of the 25th anniversary of the 1982-83 Sixers championship team. He was a starting forward on that team, the last to win a championship in Philadelphia. ... Grizzlies G Aaron McKie wasn't with the team for personal reasons. McKie began the season as a volunteer assistant coach with the 76ers before being signed by the Los Angeles Lakers on Feb. 1 and then traded to Memphis. ... The Sixers have won both games against the Grizzlies this season.