76ers drub Pacers; Bulls flatten Pistons

Philadelphia — Philadelphia’s handy habit of second-half surges continued as the 76ers pulled away in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 96-86 in yesterday’s NBA action.

Andre Iguodala scored 20 points and Lou Williams added 13 for the Sixers, who are dominating in second halves to turn close games into comfortable wins.

Against the Pacers, it was a 15-3 run in the third quarter that helped them pull away.  The Sixers used a 30-8 run in the third to beat Toronto on Saturday.

The Sixers have made the most of their favorable home stretch, winning in Philadelphia for the third time in four nights.

After an off day Sunday, the Sixers played the first game of a three-night stretch, that includes Sacramento and Wednesday’s game at New York.

Bulls 92,

Pistons 68

In Chicago, the hosts beat Detroit for their 13th consecutive victory against the Pistons.

Carlos Boozer scored 23 points and Derrick Rose added 22 points and eight assists for Chicago, which bounced back from Saturday night’s lackluster loss at Atlanta.

The Bulls improved to 4-1 during their first stretch of nine games in 12 days in 30 years. They play again each of the next two nights, hitting the road to face Minnesota on Tuesday before returning home to face Washington on Wednesday.

Greg Monroe had 14 points, 10 rebounds and six assists for Detroit, which has lost four straight games.

Hawks 106,

Nets 101

In Newark, New Jersey, Josh Smith scored a season-high 26 points and the Hawks shot nearly 54 percent from the field in beating New Jersey for the third time this season.

Joe Johnson added 22 as the Hawks led for all but a few seconds in winning their third straight game overall.

Anthony Morrow had 20 points for the Nets, who remain winless in four games at home.

Hornets  94, Nuggets  81

In Denver, Carl Landry scored 21 points as New Orleans avenged a defeat three days earlier and beat Denver.

Chris Kaman added 20 for New Orleans, who led by eight at halftime and extended that to 15 in the third quarter. OTHER RESULTS: Knicks  91, Bobcats  87 Raptors 97, Timberwolves 87. /ap