In a gut check game, the Philadelphia 76ers hold a 52-43 lead over their Atlantic Division foe New Jersey Nets halfway through their Tuesday night affair.
Spencer Hawes is having a strong start to the evening, contributing 11 points and three boards in 12 minutes off the bench. Point guard Jrue Holiday is doing his part in the head to head matchup with Nets star Deron Williams, finishing with nine first half points.
Williams, meanwhile, shot just 4-11 from the floor for 12 points. Power forward Kris Humphries added 12 points to go along with five rebounds for New Jersey, who aims to win just its tenth game at home on the season.
A win tonight would help Philadelphia keep pace with the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings, as the two are enter the evening with an identical 29-27 record.
For more on 76ers basketball, check out the SB Nation blog Liberty Ballers, while Nets Daily has everything on New Jersey.