76ers Suffer Big Losses on the Court and Off

The Philadelphia 76ers have more to worry about than their 21-point loss to the Sacramento Kings on Friday night.

Chris Webber scored 26 points and Predrag Stojakovic had 19 as Sacramento humbled the 76ers, 100-79, Friday night in a matchup of two of the league’s top three teams at Philadelphia.

Philadelphia’s biggest concern is the health of Coach Larry Brown and star guard Allen Iverson. Neither will join the team for the beginning of its four-game trip.

Brown is staying in Philadelphia to undergo medical tests. The 76ers said the 60-year-old coach is suffering from acid reflux and a hiatal hernia, disorders of the stomach and esophagus.

Iverson is staying home to get treatment for a hip pointer. He returned to the lineup Friday night after sitting out one game because of the injury.

Iverson scored 28 points against the Kings on 11-for-28 shooting, but was to miss the team’s flight to Milwaukee to undergo further treatment.

“I could care less about the basketball part of it. I just hope he’s all right,” Iverson said about Brown.

Brown would have been able to continue coaching if the 76ers weren’t traveling, according to team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy.

Portland 90, Utah 87--Scottie Pippen had 20 points and a season-high six steals as the Trail Blazers stopped their five-game losing streak with a victory over the Jazz at Portland, Ore.

Arvydas Sabonis added 18 points on seven-of-nine shooting for the Trail Blazers, whose losing streak was their longest since dropping five in a row from Jan. 5-13, 1998. That skid also ended with a home victory over the Jazz.

Boston 87, Denver 83--Antoine Walker scored 21 points and Paul Pierce had 19 points and 12 rebounds as the Celtics kept pace in the playoff race, beating the Nuggets at Denver.

Bryant Stith added 17 points to help the Celtics remain percentage points ahead of the Indiana Pacers for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

San Antonio 95, New Jersey 86--Tim Duncan scored 29 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Spurs to a victory over the Nets at San Antonio.

Cleveland 114, Charlotte 109--Matt Harpring scored a career-high 28 points and Bimbo Coles made two critical baskets in the final 1:33 at Cleveland to give the Cavaliers their fourth victory in the last 25 games.

Orlando 103, Vancouver 99--Darrell Armstrong had 29 points and 11 assists and the Magic won its second consecutive game without the suspended Tracy McGrady in defeating the Grizzlies at Orlando, Fla.

Indiana 103, Atlanta 97--Jalen Rose scored 21 points and Tyus Edney, activated off the injured list just before tipoff, had a season-high 16 points as the Pacers ended a three-game losing streak at Indianapolis.

Seattle 90, Chicago 80--Gary Payton scored 24 points as the SuperSonics won their fourth in a row by defeating the Bulls at Chicago.