76ers Bounce Back Big Behind Iverson

Allen Iverson had 30 points and a season-high 10 assists as the injury-depleted Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 107-94, Friday night at Portland, Ore.

Theo Ratliff added 19 points and 10 rebounds for Philadelphia, which bounced back from its first two-game losing streak and the loss of point guard Eric Snow.

The 76ers (15-4) are tied with the Utah Jazz for the NBA’s best record.

Steve Smith scored 17 points to lead the Trail Blazers, who lost the lead for good in the second quarter when the 76ers went on a 10-0 run.

The 76ers were without Snow, who is out six to eight weeks because of a stress fracture in his right ankle, and Tyrone Hill, who has a sore right ankle.

They weren’t needed, though, as the 76ers shot 72% in the first quarter. A spinning layup by Stacey Augmon put the Trail Blazers ahead, 40-38, but the 76ers took control from there. Iverson capped the 10-0 spurt with a layup, and Portland didn’t get closer than five the rest of the game.

Iverson had 25 points by halftime, but went scoreless in the next 18:47. He more than made up for it, pushing the ball hard upcourt and letting his teammates build the lead.

Sacramento 111, Houston 98--Chris Webber had season-highs of 37 points and 18 rebounds, and rookie Hidayet Turkoglu scored 16 points in his first start as the Kings won their fifth consecutive home game.

Doug Christie added 18 points and eight assists as Sacramento, playing without second-leading scorer Peja Stojakovic, stayed atop the Pacific Division and won for the ninth time in 10 games at Arco Arena.

New Jersey 86, Phoenix 84--Kenyon Martin grabbed Sherman Douglas’ missed layup and put it back in with 2.1 seconds remaining at East Rutherford, N.J., to end the Nets’ nine-game losing streak.

Douglas, who finished with 22 points subbing for the injured Stephon Marbury, worked a give-and-go with Aaron Williams and tossed up a soft floater in the lane. The ball fell off to the left side, where Martin was waiting.

Miami 80, Atlanta 76--Eddie Jones scored 23 points, including six clutch free throws in the final minute at Miami, as the Heat reached the .500 mark for the first time since Nov. 18.

Miami, which defeated Atlanta for the second time in less than a week, won its fourth consecutive game despite blowing a 16-point halftime lead and a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Dallas 105, Chicago 86--Steve Nash scored 22 points as Don Nelson picked up his 939th coaching victory to move past mentor Red Auerbach into fourth place on the career list as the Mavericks defeated the Bulls at Dallas.

Toronto 108, Golden State 92--Antawn Jamison followed consecutive 51-point games with 28, but Vince Carter scored 29 as the Raptors jumped to a 27-15 first-quarter lead and won going away at Oakland.

Indiana 104, Boston 91--Travis Best scored 27 points, Jalen Rose added 25 and the Pacers pulled away with an 18-3 second-half run at Boston.