76ers 96, Hawks 90
76ERS 95, HAWKS 90: Elton Brand had a season-best 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Andre Iguodala added 18 points as host Philadelphia defeated Atlanta.
Brand scored 13 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the final quarter as the 76ers moved within a half-game of the first-place Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division.
Josh Smith scored a season-high 34 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Joe Johnson scored 15 points for the Hawks, who have lost five straight games to Philadelphia.
Atlanta led 68-62 after Johnson’s basket in the first minute of the final quarter before the 76ers went on a 22-9 surge over the next seven minutes.
Brand had 11 points during the stretch – including two three-point plays – and Jrue Holiday and Iguodala drained 3-point baskets as Philadelphia took a seven-point lead with 4:12 to play.
The Hawks pulled within 88-86 on a 3-pointer by Marvin Williams with 1:47 left before Brand hit a 14-foot baseline jumper and Philadelphia held off the charge.
Smith scored 13 third-quarter points for Atlanta, which led by four points entering the final quarter.
Evan Turner scored 13 points and Jodie Meeks added 12 points for the 76ers.
Brand and Iguodala each had 12 first-half points as Philadelphia led 43-41 at intermission.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Smith is averaging 26.3 points over the last eight games. … The 20-point outing was just the third of the season for Brand. … Hawks guard Tracy McGrady missed his second straight contest due to illness. … The 76ers were 6 of 12 from 3-point range.