Iverson Has 76ers Riding High

Though Michael Jordan was nowhere to be found, Allen Iverson seized the moment to proclaim in his strongest terms yet that he wants to take the place of His Airness.

With Iverson scoring 24 points despite battling flu, the Philadelphia 76ers beat what is left of the Chicago Bulls, 102-86, Wednesday night for their sixth consecutive victory.

“Even if you don’t recognize it in public, I want people to say--behind closed doors if they have to--that’s the best player in the NBA,” Iverson said. “You don’t have to say it publicly, but you’re going to know it in your own heart. That’s the type of effect that I want to have on this league.”

The 76ers have a six-game winning streak for the first time since 1991, also the last time they started 10-5. They clinched a victory in the season series with the Bulls for the first time since the ‘90-91 season.

“We’re learning how to win games,” Iverson said. “I think it’s sinking in.”

Matt Geiger added 21 points, a season-high 13 rebounds and a career-high five steals.

Despite feeling under the weather, Iverson was the focal point on nearly every possession while the game was still reasonably close. He was 10 for 21 from the field and added six assists and three steals.

Iverson, the NBA’s leading scorer, is averaging 28.8 points.

Dickey Simpkins led the Bulls with 21 points and eight rebounds.

Portland 97, Sacramento 93--Brian Grant had six of his 20 points in overtime and added 18 rebounds to lead the Trail Blazers past the Kings at Sacramento.

Chris Webber led the Kings with 20 points and 14 rebounds.

Webber had a three-point play with 1:16 left in regulation that pulled the Kings ahead, 88-87. Damon Stoudamire made one of two free throws to tie the game with 16 seconds left, and Vernon Maxwell missed a baseline jumper with four seconds left for Sacramento, sending the game into overtime.

Indiana 106, Washington 95--A classic length-of-court play at the third-quarter buzzer at Washington started a 20-6 run, helping the Pacers win for the seventh time in eight games.

The textbook play that gave the Pacers some momentum came with 1.4 seconds to go in the third quarter. Sam Perkins threw to Antonio Davis at the Wizards’ foul line. Davis made a nice touch pass to Travis Best, who sank a three-point shot to get Indiana within 83-79.

Pacer swingman Jalen Rose scored 11 of his 22 points in the final quarter while Washington made only six of 22 shots in the period in falling to its fifth loss in six games--including five straight home losses.

Rod Strickland was ejected in the final minute for arguing with referee Bob Delaney.

“I got held twice by Travis Best . . . It’s like we’re at a disadvantage because they’re the Indiana Pacers and we’re the Wizards,” Strickland said.

Orlando 93, Charlotte 76--Nick Anderson scored 25 points and the Magic used a 20-6 run early in the third quarter to pull away from the Hornets at Orlando, Fla.

Isaac Austin added a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds and Darrell Armstrong provided a spark off the bench with 10 points and eight assists.

Charlotte didn’t help itself with 21 turnovers and 24 fouls.

Derrick Coleman led Charlotte with 24 points and 10 rebounds.

Milwaukee 106, Golden State 78--Tyrone Hill broke out of his season-long shooting slump with 20 points on seven-for-11 shooting in the Bucks’ victory at Milwaukee.

Hill came in shooting only 34% from the floor, but scored 13 first-quarter points.

John Starks scored 16 points for Golden State, which shot only 33% from the floor.

Utah 109, Vancouver 86--The Jazz won its 19th straight home game as Karl Malone had 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Jazz are the only Western Conference team the Grizzlies have never beaten.

The Jazz made a 19-2 run early and were ahead by double digits for all but one possession of the final 3 1/2 quarters.