National Basketball Association

Nets beat 76ers 94-87 to end five-game skid

Published Mar. 14, 2015 10:14 p.m. ET

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PHILADELPHIA (AP) With their losing streak behind them, the Nets are focused on making a playoff run.

Thaddeus Young scored 21 points and Brooklyn snapped a five-game skid with a 94-87 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday night.

''I'm very thankful for a win,'' Nets coach Lionel Hollins said. ''It's hard to win in this league and hard to win on the road. And the way we've been struggling, it's a big win.''

Joe Johnson added 15 points and Jarrett Jack contributed 12 for the Nets, who moved within three games of eighth place in the Eastern Conference.

''This is huge for us,'' Young said. ''Hopefully this is the one that gets us on a winning streak. We're going to take this game and we're going to try to piggyback off it and go out there and get some more wins.''

Brooklyn had allowed 106.6 points per game during its skid. But the Nets clamped down defensively in the second half, holding Philadelphia to 31 points. The 76ers shot 30.2 percent (13 for 43) from the field, including 11.1 percent (2 for 18) from the arc, after halftime.

''We just wanted to get into the ball a little bit more,'' Young said. ''Switch when needed and play the ball-handler.''

Nerlens Noel scored 17 points for Philadelphia. Isaiah Canaan added 13 and Hollis Thompson had 12.

''They're a team that's fighting to get into the playoffs,'' Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. ''They're a prideful team, a veteran team, a well-coached team and we just weren't able to find a way to close the game out. We give them credit.''

The Nets extended their eight-point lead to open the fourth quarter to as many as 11 early in the period. Philadelphia battled back within two points twice down the stretch, the latter time on Noel's alley-oop dunk on a pass from Ish Smith with 3:37 left. Thompson could've put the 76ers in front on their ensuing possession, but he missed a 3-point attempt.

The Nets took advantage by tallying the next six points, capped by Young's floater with 1:19 remaining that put Brooklyn up 93-85.

The 21 points were the most Young has scored in his 12 games with the Nets since being traded from Minnesota for Kevin Garnett. Young, who also had nine rebounds, played the first seven seasons of his career in Philadelphia before being traded to the Timberwolves in the offseason.

''Thad's a very tough player,'' Noel said. ''We remember from when he was here in Philly last year. He shoots a high percentage. He always takes good shots, and (he's) just a great player. He's been a great player in this league.''

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TIP-INS

Nets: Young made his second trip back to Philadelphia since the trade after earlier this season playing here as a member of the Timberwolves. ... Alan Anderson returned to the lineup after sitting out Wednesday's 104-98 loss at Miami due to a back injury. He finished with 10 points.

76ers: Luc Mbah a Moute (rest) didn't play. ... Brown, in the pregame, praised the team's chemistry ''despite the gypsy-like lineup we've had from time to time.'' Glenn Robinson III saw his first action since being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on March 7. Robinson went scoreless in seven minutes.

PLAYOFF PUSH

The win helped Brooklyn in its quest for its third playoff appearance in three seasons since relocating from New Jersey.

''That's been our focus all along, continue to play, continue to win games and hopefully when the end of the season comes we're in one of those playoff spots,'' Young said. ''We're fighting and we're battling for it. That's our main focus right now.''

3 HAPPY

The 76ers finished 8 for 37 (21.6 percent) from 3-point range. Brown spoke in the pregame about how the 3-pointer has helped open the lane for Noel, but he questioned some of the shot selection on Saturday.

''I don't mind the 3s; in fact, I encourage our guys if they're open,'' he said. ''I think probably eight of them, maybe nine of them, are ones that are just too much - contested, not great looks. . So we'll talk about that and try to recognize better shot selection.''

UP NEXT

Nets: Visit Minnesota on Monday.

76ers: Visit Boston on Monday.