76ers 89, Hornets 78

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Andre Iguodala (ih-goh-DAH'-lah) scored 22 points and Samuel Dalembert grabbed 15 rebounds as Philadelphia beat New Orleans 89-to-78. <br/><br/>The Hornets were ineffective on

Thursday, February 1st 2007, 5:59 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Andre Iguodala (ih-goh-DAH'-lah) scored 22 points and Samuel Dalembert grabbed 15 rebounds as Philadelphia beat New Orleans 89-to-78.

The Hornets were ineffective on offense last night in Chris Paul's first game after a monthlong absence with a sprained right ankle. Devin Brown led New Orleans with 17 points and Paul had nine points and two assists.

New Orleans got down by 20 points before mounting an unsuccessful comeback.

The 76ers led 45-to-34 at halftime after Willie Green grabbed Iguodala's airballed jumper and put back the rebound.

Philadelphia then added a 16-to-7 run early in the second half and led 67-47 after his jumper from the right side.

After Steven Hunter missed a dunk for the 76ers, the Hornets scored ten of the next 12 points to get within 69-57.

The Hornets got as close as eight on Hilton Armstrong's putback that made it 73-65 early in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia embarked on a 12-to-2 run to put the game out of reach.