Cavaliers Can’t Stop Iverson

Allen Iverson was his usual brilliant self at Cleveland, but admitted the Philadelphia 76ers’ 94-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday was “ugly”.

Iverson made 18 of 29 field goals and scored 40 points to help the 76ers end a seven-game losing streak.

“It was important for us to win,” Iverson said. “You lose seven in a row, it really don’t matter how you get it, whether it’s ugly or looks good. We win ugly games anyway.”

Andre Miller returned to the Cavalier lineup after missing one game with a bruised shoulder and had an NBA season-high nine steals and a career-high 22 assists. Wesley Person scored 28 points to lead Cleveland.

The Cavaliers’ poor foul shooting in the final minute helped the 76ers win.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas missed two free throws with 52.4 seconds left and Cleveland trailing, 91-87.

After Iverson sank a 15-footer to make it 93-87, Lamond Murray went to the line after being fouled by Derrick Coleman on a three-point attempt--and missed all three with 34.6 to play.

“That’s basketball, you’re not going to make every free throw,” Murray said.

Both Ilgauskas and Murray began the game shooting 86 percent from the line.

Neither could stop Iverson at the other end, however. Once again, he put on a scoring display at Gund Arena, where he has twice scored 50 or more points, including a career-high 54 Jan. 6.

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Portland 117, Orlando 106--Rasheed Wallace scored a season-high 37 points and also had 13 rebounds to help the Trail Blazers win at Portland, Ore.

Ruben Patterson added a season-high 24 points, including 13 in the fourth quarter to help the Blazers hold on after letting a 16-point first-half lead slip to two in the final minutes.

Tracy McGrady had 36 points, a season-high nine assists and seven rebounds for the Magic. He’s averaged 36 points over his last six games.

Injured Portland forward Scottie Pippen did not attend the game so he could attend a commencement ceremony and receive his bachelor’s degree at Central Arkansas.

Dallas 125, Minnesota 117--Michael Finley scored 12 of his 30 points during a breakout third quarter, leading the Mavericks at Dallas as they ended the Timberwolves’ six-game winning streak.

Minnesota was ahead by seven early in the second half when Finley, Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki took over. They combined for 22 points on a 24-8 run that put Dallas ahead for good.

Atlanta 80, Chicago 79--Jason Terry raced around Chicago’s defense for a go-ahead dunk with 7.3 seconds left at Chicago.

Ron Mercer, whose jumper with 11 seconds left gave the Bulls a 79-78 lead, had a chance to win the game, but he missed a 16-foot jumper from the right side in the closing seconds and Marcus Fizer missed a follow at the buzzer.

Denver 106, Phoenix 98--Nick Van Exel scored 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and the Nuggets outscored Phoenix, 17-2, over the final four minutes to rally for a win at Denver.

Stephon Marbury of Phoenix had 27 points.

Miami 76, Houston 73--Jim Jackson made a three-point basket with one second left to lift the Heat at Houston, extending the Rockets’ losing streak to 13. It is Miami’s second road victory of the season.

Milwaukee 115, Indiana 95--Michael Redd scored a career-high 21 points and four Bucks scored at least 19 at Milwaukee.

The Pacers closed to 89-82 early in the fourth before being hit by a 13-0 run highlighted by a three-point basket and a three-point play by Redd.

Golden State 93, Memphis 84--Brian Winters won his debut as Warriors’ interim coach at Oakland. Antawn Jamison scored 20 points for the Warriors, who blew much of a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter before hanging on to end their four-game losing streak.

San Antonio 100, Utah 80--Tim Duncan had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Antonio Daniels added 18 points as the Spurs won at San Antonio.

Celtics 106, Hornets 97--Paul Pierce scored 30 points and the Celtics made 10 three-point baskets to win at Charlotte, N.C.