NBA: Philadelphia 79, Chicago 74

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PHILADELPHIA, May 4 (UPI) -- Spencer Hawes put Philadelphia in front with 2:14 to play Friday and Chicago collapsed down the stretch to give the 76ers a 79-74 playoff victory.

Philadelphia took a 2-1 lead in the opening-round series and the Bulls' already desperate injury situation turned worse when center Joakim Noah suffered a sprained ankle during the second half. Noah's status for Game 4 Sunday was uncertain.

Chicago is already without last year's regular-season MVP Derrick Rose for the remainder of the playoffs due to a torn knee ligament.

The Bulls owned an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter and still were in front by seven after Carlos Boozer made a layup with 5:08 to play. Chicago managed only three points the rest of the way, those coming on a shot from beyond the arc with 45 seconds remaining that briefly brought the Bulls within a point.

Philadelphia took the lead for good at 72-71 on the jumper by Hawes and the 76ers outscored the Bulls in the fourth quarter 28-14.

Hawes led Philadelphia with 21 points, Jrue Holiday added 17 and Evan Turner 16.

Boozer produced 18 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bulls.