Bobcats 123, 76ers 93

PHILADELPHIA — Center Al Jefferson scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds Wednesday night, and the Charlotte Bobcats drubbed the Philadelphia 76ers 123-93 to draw nearer to the second playoff berth in franchise history.

Backup forward Anthony Tolliver added 16 points for the Bobcats, who are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with seven games remaining. Charlotte (37-38) began the day four games ahead of the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks and 4 1/2 ahead of the ninth-place New York Knicks. The top eight teams make the playoffs.

The only other time Charlotte reached the postseason in its 10-year history was in 2009-10.

Guard Michael Carter-Williams scored 22 points to pace the Sixers, who lost for the 28th time in 29 games, and for the 19th time in 20 home games. Center Henry Sims added 15 points, and backup guard Elliot Williams had 12 for Philadelphia (16-59).

Jefferson recorded his 35th double-double of the season, his fourth in the past five games. He shot 9-for-17 from the floor while playing only the first three quarters. He has scored 20 points or more 39 times this season.

Reserve guard Gary Neal had 15 points, and guard Gerald Henderson and reserve guard Chris Douglas-Roberts had 14 apiece for Charlotte, which shot 53.2 percent from the floor and enjoyed a 47-32 rebounding advantage.

Bobcats rookie Cody Zeller, making his first career start in place of injured forward Josh McRoberts, had nine points and eight rebounds.

Jefferson scored 17 points in the first half, and Charlotte sprinted to a 63-38 lead. The Bobcats extended that lead to as many as 30 in the second half.

The Bobcats burst out to a 24-11 lead behind 10 points from Jefferson. A 14-0 second-quarter run, which included two 3-pointers by Tolliver, made it 49-24.

Jefferson had 17 points and Henderson 11 in the first half for Charlotte, which shot 59 percent from the floor and owned a 27-12 rebounding advantage.

Carter-Williams paced the Sixers with 18 first-half points, but Philadelphia shot just 38.1 percent and missed all seven of its 3-point attempts.

For the game the Sixers shot 42.2 percent from the floor.

NOTES: G Michael Carter-Williams was selected the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for the third time this season on Tuesday, the first Sixer to be honored that many times. “I see him getting better because he’s understanding the game better,” coach Brett Brown said. “I think he’s the Rookie of the Year.” … Charlotte C Al Jefferson was chosen the Eastern Conference Player of the Month on Tuesday. He is the first Bobcat to receive that award, and it is the first time in his career he was honored. Coach Steve Clifford praised Jefferson for his defense and leadership adding, “He badly wants to win.” … Brown said earlier this season he hoped C Nerlens Noel, sidelined his whole rookie campaign due to a knee injury, would see action at some point. Now, Brown said, he is “ambivalent” about it because of continuing concerns over Noel’s health. … Bobcats F Josh McRoberts and Sixers F Byron Mullens each sat out due to sprained left ankles.