76ers beat Lakers, win 6th straight game
(AP)Updated: 2007-03-10 22:13
Allen Iverson's old team is having more fun these days than his new one. With Kobe Bryant back in his hometown, the Philadelphia 76ers drew their first sellout of the season Friday night. And if they keep up their surge, the fans might keep coming back.
 Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala runs into Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum, who blocks his shot during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Friday, March 9, 2007, in Philadelphia. [AP]  |
In the midst of a remarkable turnaround that seemed impossible to imagine after Iverson was traded to Denver in December, Philadelphia pulled within 4 1/2 games of eighth-place Orlando for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
"It's a heck of an accomplishment to win six straight home games at any point in time," coach Maurice Cheeks said. "For a young group to do it, it's even bigger."
Things aren't going nearly as well for Iverson's Nuggets, who lost 95-82 at home to Detroit. Denver has dropped seven of 10, and leading scorer Carmelo Anthony said a fan yelled at him as he walked off the court after the game.
"I understand from a fan's standpoint that they want their team to win," Anthony said. "But when you go overboard like that, it's uncalled for. If we retaliate, then we're the bad people. I tried to keep my mouth shut at the end."
In other games, it was: Atlanta 106, Memphis 105; Boston 118, Seattle 103; Miami 105, Minnesota 91; Houston 112, New Jersey 91; Phoenix 104, New Orleans 103; and Golden State 99, the Los Angeles Clippers 89.
Iverson finished with 19 points and Anthony scored 17 for the Nuggets, who expected much more from the high-scoring duo when they made the deal with the 76ers. Denver is seventh in the West, but only 1 1/2 games ahead of ninth-place Sacramento.
"We just lost two basketball games in a row," Iverson said. "Definitely a concern there. We just got to be confident (we) can get it together."
That's what Cheeks said the 76ers did, even when they were losing regularly in December while playing without Iverson. But he kept the team together, and general manager Billy King said Friday that Cheeks will return next season, ending speculation that Larry Brown would take over.
"All the stuff that went down early in the season, all the stuff that's turned around - if you're going to dish out credit - you've got to start with him," forward Kyle Korver said. "This team could have easily put their heads down and been like, 'Well, let's get a good draft pick and build for next year.' He didn't let us."
Bryant scored 30 points after he was suspended a game for striking Minnesota's Marko Jaric in the face. However, he had only nine points in the second half, shooting 3-for-14, and the short-handed Lakers lost their fifth straight.
"When we get our personnel back, we'll be fine," coach Phil Jackson said.
Heat 105, Timberwolves 91
Shaquille O'Neal made his first seven shots and scored a season-high 32 points, and Jason Williams added 20 points for host Miami.
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