Sixers Coast Past Kings

Jrue Holiday had 15 points and nine rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers built an early double-digit lead in coasting past the Sacramento Kings 102-80 on Friday night.

The 76ers led by 26 after three quarters and moved ahead of the New York Knicks into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia is a half-game in front of the Knicks and three behind Atlanta, which is fifth.

DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points and 12 rebounds for the Kings, who committed 22 turnovers. Sacramento has lost eight of nine and owns the worst record (16-51) in the Western Conference.

Omri Casspi scored 14 points and Beno Udrih had 13.

Lou Williams added 14 points and Andre Iguodala had 13 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the 76ers despite sitting out the fourth quarter.

After dominating the first half, the 76ers came out strong again in the third quarter. Jodie Meeks scored seven points in the first 6 minutes, including a 3-pointer at the 6:06 mark that put Philadelphia ahead 68-42.

The 76ers, who had a season-high 16 steals in beating the Kings for a sixth straight time, built an eight-point lead after one quarter and their sharp shooting continued in the second. Holiday scored all his points in the first half for Philadelphia, which shot 48 percent and led 55-38.

It's been a turnaround season for the 76ers, who won only 27 games a year ago. After a horrible 1-10 start under new coach Doug Collins, the Sixers have become a formidable team, going 23-12 since a Jan. 3 loss in New Orleans.

The struggles continue for the Kings, who could be headed to Anaheim next season. The Maloof ownership was granted a relocation extension until April 18, five days after the regular season ends.  The Maloofs will have the opportunity to discuss their options at the NBA Board of Governors meetings on April 14-15.

The game was the first meeting between Philadelphia center Spencer Hawes and his Kings counterpart, Samuel Dalembert, who spent eight seasons with the 76ers. The two were traded for each other in the offseason.

Hawes, drafted by the Kings in 2007 as a 19-year-old with one year of college ball, was greeted with applause when the starting lineups were announced.

NOTES: Holiday scored 12 first-quarter points for the 76ers, who ran off 11 straight and led 32-23. ... Marcus Thornton appeared injured when he slipped and fell underneath the Kings' basket late in the first quarter. He was on the floor for several minutes, but eventually walked slowly to the bench, then returned to play the entire second quarter. ... The Kings shot 32 percent and had 12 first-half turnovers that resulted in 15 points for the 76ers. ... Meeks had made two or more 3-pointers in 10 straight games, but hit just one against the Kings. The streak was the longest by a 76ers player since Kyle Korver's 19-game run in 2004-05.