PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― Elton Brand had a season-high 21 points and 10 rebounds, and the Philadelphia 76ers routed the Sacramento Kings 112-85 Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.

The Sixers are 7-2 and lead the Atlantic Division. It’s their best start since Allen Iverson helped them open 10-0 on their way to the NBA Finals in 2000-01.

Rookie Jimmer Fredette scored seven points in his first start for Sacramento. Filling in for injured leading scorer Marcus Thornton, the former BYU sensation shot 2 for 7. DeMarcus Cousins led the struggling Kings with 17 points.

Evan Turner had 16 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists, and Jrue Holiday added 17 for Philadelphia, which had six players reach double figures. With second-year coach Doug Collins calling the shots and a deep roster, the Sixers are relevant again in sports-crazed Philadelphia.

After winning 41 games and losing to Miami in five games in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Sixers are one of the NBA’s up-and-coming teams. They’ve won five games by at least a 20-point margin.

This game quickly turned into a rout early in the third quarter. An 11-0 run featuring three baskets from Brand extended the lead to 63-42. It reached 84-60 when Jodie Meeks hit his third 3-pointer of the quarter.

A 10-2 run to start the fourth quarter made it a laugher. Lou Williams scored six in a row and Thaddeus Young capped it off with a dunk that put Philadelphia up 94-62.

That allowed the reserves at the end of the bench to see rare action. Andres Nocioni played in his third game. Tony Battie and Lavoy Allen entered for just the second time this season.

Fans roared when Meeks hit a jumper midway through the fourth to give the Sixers 100 points, which means fans can take their ticket stubs to McDonald’s for a free Big Mac on Wednesday.

Bulls sink Rubio, Wolves

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) ― Derrick Rose scored a season-high 31 points and had 11 assists to outlast Ricky Rubio in a thrilling duel, leading the Chicago Bulls to a 111-100 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

Luol Deng had 21 points and 11 rebounds, and Kyle Korver scored 13 points off the bench for the Bulls, who appeared to be on their way to a blowout early before Rubio led the Wolves back.

Rubio had 13 points, 12 assists and four rebounds. Luke Ridnour scored 22 points for the Timberwolves, who just couldn’t find an answer for Rose down the stretch.

The reigning MVP shrugged off a mid-game shooting slump to score on an explosion to the basket and then knocked down a little one-handed jumper for an eight-point lead with 2:30 to play.

Kevin Love finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds, but his shooting woes continued as he made 5 of 18. Anthony Randolph scored 18 points.

The Bulls outrebounded Minnesota 47-30 and Ronnie Brewer scored 17 points to help them to their eighth win in nine games. But Rose was the leader as usual, hitting 4 of 8 3-pointers.

Rubio’s reputation grew when the Spaniard went up against Rose in international play, stripping him on two of the U.S.’ first three trips up the floor in an exhibition game.

The two went toe-to-toe again on Tuesday night. Rose played 42 minutes and got off to a blistering start with Rubio, who played a career-high 36 minutes, on the bench, but the two electrifying point guards were neck-and-neck for the final three quarters.

Wizards 93, Raptors 78

Rockets 82, Bobcats 70

Mavs 100, Pistons 86

Thunder 100, Grizzlies 95

Bucks 106, Spurs 103

Jazz 113, Cavs 105

Blazers 105, Clippers 97

Warriors 111, Heat 106

Lakers 99, Suns 83