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PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Kenny Thomas had a season-high 27 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 97-88 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.

Allen Iverson had 20 points and 11 assists and reserve Zendon Hamilton added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, who had lost 18 of 24.

Eddy Curry scored 24 and Jamal Crawford and Antonio Davis each had 16 for Chicago, the second-worst team in the NBA.

The Sixers came in two games behind three teams that were tied for the final spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs race.

Down four midway through the fourth quarter, Philadelphia went on a 12-0 run to take a 91-83 lead with 2:18 left. Thomas had six points during the run and Iverson finished it with a pair of free throws. The Bulls didn't get any closer the rest of the way.

The Sixers were without Glenn Robinson, out indefinitely with an elbow injury. But centers Marc Jackson and Derrick Coleman could be returning from their injuries soon, providing a boost for the playoff run.

The Bulls used an 8-0 run to go ahead in the second quarter and led 47-46 at halftime.

Game notes

The loudest cheers of the night came when it was announced that Stanford, the top-ranked team in men's college basketball, lost to Washington, meaning No. 2 Saint Joseph's should move up to No. 1 when the next AP poll comes out Monday. ... Five of Philadelphia's remaining games are against the Knicks, Heat, Cavaliers and Celtics, four of the teams in the playoffs scramble. ... Iverson had just one field goal in the second half.