<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"><div align="center"></div> PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 9 (Ticker) -- Making the last stop on their road trip, the Seattle SuperSonics appeared fatigued. Fortunately for the Philadelphia 76ers, Allen Iverson never has that problem. Iverson collected 41 points, nine assists and seven rebounds and Kyle Korver and John Salmons each hit clutch 3-pointers in the final minutes as the 76ers recorded a 107-98 victory over the SuperSonics. The league leader in both minutes (1,421) and points (1,092), Iverson added significantly to both totals as he played more than 45 minutes and went on a scoring binge in the third quarter, when the Sixers outscored the Sonics, 36-26, to take charge of their first home game since Dec. 21. "It felt like home," said Iverson, who shot 15-of-25 from the floor and 11-of-13 from the foul line. "The crowd was cheering for us. Just being back home in our own atmosphere felt good. The road trip was long. For me personally, it kind of drained me being so long." Iverson did not attempt a 3-pointer for the first time all season, but admitted that increasing his aggressiveness was part of the game plan. "I try to get to the basket. I never want to shoot a bunch of jumpers," Iverson said. "I think my percentage is much higher going to the basket. I always try to make a conscious effort to get to the basket, but a lot of teams don't permit me to do that." With Philadelphia holding a 59-53 lead with just under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, Iverson fueled an impressive 20-7 run with 10 points, including a driving layup in traffic that made it 79-60 with 3:36 to go in the period. "It's tough because he shoots so much and comes off so many screens," said Seattle guard Luke Ridnour, who struggled all night trying to guard the four-time scoring champion. "He's one of the best players in the league. He's going to get his (shots). You've got to give him credit." Iverson opened the pivotal surge with a layup and, after a pair of free throws by Seattle's Vladimir Radmanovic, fed Samuel Dalembert for a dunk and Andre Iguodala for an alley-oop slam. "We all had to do more as a team," Iverson said. "I felt like I had to play well but I felt that my teammates had to step up as well. We had five players in double figures and we needed that." Iverson barely missed his second career triple-double and first since Jan. 7, 2002 against the Los Angeles Clippers. "That's how you should play. When somebody is open, you give it up. ... When you do share the ball, nine times out of 10, there is a lot more positive results that come out of it." The Sixers were on fire from the floor the entire third quarter, shooting 13-of-19 from the field. Iverson led the charge with 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting in the session en route to the 67th 40-point game of his career and the eighth this season. "Certainly, coming back here to have a chane to win is better than being out on the road," said Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks, whose team was coming off a disappointing 2-5 road trip. "Obviously we didn't have such a good trip. We were looking forward to get here and trying to win a game."</div> <font size=""1""> <div align="center">Recap | Box Score | Postgame Notes</div></font> Webber sat out, but we were still able to win even though we were out-rebounded too. Seattle being the worst defensive team in the league gave us a break. What I'm most impressed about this team is that we are starting to play well in the 4th quarter. Like in last 3-4 games when teams made comebacks in the 4th quarter we were able to counter back and close the game out. This is a very good sight because this will be important in the Playoffs. Also it looks like that road trip was just mentally draining the guys which is why they performed so bad. If it drained AI imagine what it did to the other guys? Well know that we won you always have to feel positive about that. We take on the Jazz next which are extremtly hot right now and Webber will probably be back in that game as well. On the other hand we are three and half games behind the Nets and they face the Spurs, Grizzliers, Pacers(all road games) and then us. So if anything this is the time to make a real run at getting our #1 spot back. -- "At one point in the game we had Matt (Barnes), Kyle (Korver), Andre (Iguodala), Allen (Iverson), and John (Salmons) in the game so we had a lot of small guys in there." - Mo Cheeks Why did we sign Steven Hunter and Lee Nailon? Cheeks need to start using those guys, seriously.
I think he'd use those guys if they could grab a rebound. Hell, I think AI is averaging more rebounds per game than Hunter is.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"That's how you should play. When somebody is open, you give it up. ... When you do share the ball, nine times out of 10, there is a lot more positive results that come out of it."</div> Amazing. #8 could learn a lot from #3.
Sorry for the lack of a game thread/preview. I was busy lsat night and didn't have the time to do it, I'll make up for it some how. Anyway, the 76ers played a great game in last nights win. The most important thing is that it was a team victory. Chris was out, so Salmons stepped up in his place. To be a good team players stepping up in an absence of another player, especially a star, is vital. Philly was balanced offensively, and when that occurs they are at their best. Steven also did his job off the bench he blocked three shots, it will help the 76ers a lot of Hunter can do that on a consistent basis.
