Celtics Catch a Break and Roll

Antoine Walker scored 21 points and Greg Minor made four free throws in the final 41 seconds as Boston took advantage of Allen Iverson’s absence and defeated the Philadelphia 76ers, 90-84, Friday night.

Iverson, the NBA’s leading scorer, missed the game because of a right leg injury, as did Eric Snow, the 76ers’ other starting guard. Snow has a sore left hamstring.

Larry Hughes led the Sixers with 21 points, Theo Ratliff added 19 points and 10 rebounds and Tyrone Hill had 17 points and 10 rebounds.

In snapping a five-game losing streak, the Celtics got 18 points from Ron Mercer and 12 apiece from Dana Barros and Vitaly Potapenko.

Trailing by nine with 1:37 left, Philadelphia ran off seven consecutive points, with a follow by Hughes with 45 seconds left pulling the 76ers within two points.

Minor made two free throws with 41 seconds to go and two more after a Philadelphia turnover to secure the victory.

After Boston opened its biggest lead, 78-69, Philadelphia scored five points in a row to pull within four, but Barros made a three-point shot and Walker stole the ensuing inbounds pass and made a layup to end that Philadelphia threat.

Iverson has a contusion of the right quad and is listed as day-to-day.

In the third quarter, the Celtic press forced seven turnovers and sparked a 17-5 run, with Barros scoring seven points during the stretch.