PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Charlotte Bobcats are on pace to take the next step.
Refusing to let down the night after a big win over Miami, they won again and the destination could be the first playoff berth in the sixth season of the franchise.
Gerald Wallace scored 28 points on 9-for-10 shooting from the field, Stephen Jackson added 24 points and 10 rebounds, and the Bobcats won their fourth straight game with a 102-87 victory over the reeling Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
``It would be a first time in history, so it would be great for the franchise, the city and all of us,'' Wallace said.
Boris Diaw contributed 13 points for the Bobcats (32-31), who entered the game in seventh place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Bobcats improved to just 9-23 on the road.
Tyson Chandler scored 12, while D.J. Augustin and Tyrus Thomas had 10 apiece for Charlotte, which was 31 for 41 from the free throw line.
``We had an emotional win last night,'' Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. ``I thought this would be tougher. We've struggled on the road, so this was a big win for us.''
Rodney Carney led the Sixers with 14 points. Andre Iguodala and Jrue Holiday each added 13 for Philadelphia, which fell to 23-41 and 10-20 at the Wachovia Center.
Fans began leaving the arena and booing before the third quarter even ended as the Sixers fell behind by as many as 29. Philadelphia trailed 85-58 after the third.
``We'll keep fighting for them,'' Brand said of the fan base. ``We'll keep playing hard. I've been in this league a long time and I believe in our talent.''
The Sixers managed an 8-0 run to open the fourth to cut it to 85-66. But they never got within double figures as they managed 21 turnovers, tying a season high set Tuesday night in a 107-96 loss at Indiana.
``We have to pay better attention to detail,'' Iguodala said.
The Bobcats used a 13-0 run in the third quarter to extend a 12-point lead to 77-52 with 4:11 remaining. Wallace scored seven points during the spurt.
Before the game, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan was answering questions about his job security.
The Sixers then fell behind 62-44 at halftime. As the players walked off the court, boos kept careening down from the half-empty arena.
``I had no problem with our effort,'' Jordan said. ``We played hard for 48 minutes. We're trying to make plays.''
Charlotte shot 59 percent from the field, including 5 for 8 from 3-point territory in the first half.
NOTES: Brown, on an SI.com report linking him to the Los Angeles Clippers. ``I can't stop stuff from getting out,'' he said. ``I love coaching. I love being around (owner) Michael (Jordan). I don't know how that stuff gets started.'' The 37 first-quarter points allowed were a season high for the Sixers. ... Charlotte C Nazr Mohammed missed the game with back spasms. ... Sixers director of statistical information Harvey Pollack celebrated his 88th birthday.
