The 76ers and the Milwaukee Bucks treated the crowd at the First Union Center to a thriller yesterday, to the high-quality basketball that fans expected from both last season. And had they played this season the way they played the last one, this might have been a prelude to a much anticipated postseason meeting.

Instead, it was a matchup of teams fighting for their playoff lives. Somebody had to lose ground. It wasn't the Sixers.

Derrick McKey delivered a big baseline jumper with 45.6 seconds remaining, and the Bucks couldn't connect on two attempts at the end as the Sixers hung on to win, 89-87.

Although the Bucks' Ray Allen led all scorers with 25 points, it was the Sixers' Eric Snow who was sensational throughout the game. The point guard shot 6 for 7 from the field and finished with 15 points. He contributed 14 assists and turned over the ball just twice in 37 minutes.

Aaron McKie, his right shoulder still sore, chipped in with 15 points off the bench. McKey scored a season-high 10, helping the Sixers register only their second win in their last five games and break a tie with the Bucks for sixth place in the NBA's Eastern Conference. The teams will meet again tomorrow in Milwaukee.

The Sixers are now three games ahead of the Indiana Pacers, who lost last night in Toronto, dropping to ninth place. Eight Eastern teams will make the playoffs.

Via Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, Milwaukee Bucks

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