NBA: Philadelphia 103, Cleveland 87

• Tweet

CLEVELAND, April 18 (UPI) -- Jrue Holliday scored 24 points Wednesday and moved the Philadelphia 76ers closer to a spot in the playoffs with a 103-87 decision over Cleveland.

The 76ers, who began the evening in the eighth and final post-season spot in the Eastern Conference, increased their lead over ninth-place Milwaukee to 2 1/2 games. Philadelphia has four games remaining and Milwaukee, which lost to Washington Wednesday, has five left.

Philadelphia had only a four-point lead at halftime before outscoring the Wizards in the third period 31-17. The 76ers snapped a three-game losing streak and handed the Cavaliers their third loss in a row.

Holliday hit six of Philadelphia's 10 3-pointers, which were produced in only 16 attempts. The 76ers shot 52 percent from the field overall and overwhelmed Cleveland on the boards 46-30.

Andre Iguodala added 19 points for Philadelphia and both Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young had 12.

Lester Hudson and Samardo Samuels led Cleveland with 15 each.