2012 NBA Playoffs

Andre Iguodala hit two crucial free-throws with 2.2 seconds left and the No.8 seed Philadelphia 76ers eked out a 79-78 Game 6 victory against the top-seeded Chicago Bulls to move into the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time since 2003.

Iguodala delivered his finest game of the playoffs Thursday, recording 20 points on 7-for-12 shooting and more importantly knocking down the key free-throws to finish off the Bulls in six games.

The All-Star forward also dished out seven assists and played tough defense throughout as the 76ers finally won a playoff series in the post-Allen Iverson era.

The 76ers also gained solid contributions from the backcourt triumvirate of Jrue Holiday (14 points), Lou Williams (14 points), and Evan Turner (10 points) and efficient productions from bigman Spencer Hawes (8 points and 10 boards) and Thaddeus Young (8 points and 6 boards)

The Sixers controlled play in the first half and used 11 unanswered points midway into the second quarter to build a 48-40 advantage at the break.

The Sixers continued to pound the shorthanded Bulls early in the second and seemed poised to rip the game apart after their lead ballooned to 12 points in some point of the third quarter.

However, the Bulls stormed back as Luol Deng (19 points and 17 boards) and Rip Hamilton (19 points and 8 boards) spearheaded their team's one last furious run.

The Bulls had a three-point edge, 76-73, with 2:02 minutes left to play but could not buy shot in succeeding possessions, allowing the Sixers to snatch the victory out of nowhere.

Suiting up for injured center Joakim Noah, Omir Asik bungled two crucial free-throws and then fouled an attacking Iguodala with 2.2 second remaining on the clock.

With no timeouts left, the Bulls pinned their hopes on C.J Watson's last hurl but the guard's hail-mary half-court attempt was not answered as the Sixers celebrate their playoff triumph.

The Bulls bowed out of the playoffs despite finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference. However, with unexpected injuries to star guard Derrick Rose (torn ACL) and Joakim Noah (ankle), the championship-caliber Bulls are entirely different squad.

Meanwhile, the Sixers become the second 8th-seeded team in two years to knock off the top-seed after the Memphis Grizzlies stunned the San Antonio Spurs in six games last year.

The Sixers visit TD Garden on Saturday night for Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal series, as the Boston Celtics held on for a thrilling 83-80 series-clinching win over the Atlanta Hawks

 

 

Iguodala's Clutch Free-Throws Lift Sixers Past Bulls