Thomas Provides Big Lift for 76ers

With three big men sidelined, the Philadelphia 76ers needed more than 25 points from Allen Iverson. They got a boost from Kenny Thomas.

Thomas tied his season high with 20 rebounds and scored 15 points as Philadelphia beat the Boston Celtics, 99-78, Thursday night at Boston to move one game behind New Jersey for the Atlantic Division lead.

He had seven rebounds and 10 points in the third quarter, when Philadelphia erased a one-point halftime deficit and led, 79-66, entering the fourth quarter -- thanks to Iverson’s 40-foot shot at the third-quarter buzzer.

The 76ers are missing Todd MacCulloch, who is on the injured list, Keith Van Horn, who missed his third consecutive game because of an injured left foot, and Derrick Coleman, who left in the second quarter because of a leg injury.

Boston was led by Paul Pierce’s 24 points and 11 rebounds. Antoine Walker was held to 12 points, eight below his average.

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Iverson and Jermaine O’Neal will be asked to join the 2004 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team, a source said.

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A New York City fashion stylist has sued New Orleans Hornet guard Kenny Anderson for $2 million, saying he broke financial promises he made to her during the more than three years she was his girlfriend.

Jeanette DiLone, 32, said in her breach-of-contract lawsuit filed Wednesday that she was Anderson’s girlfriend from 1997 to 2000.