Iverson Gets 50, but He Also Gets Fined

Allen Iverson, no longer flu-ridden, scored a season-high 50 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-86 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night in Philadelphia, then was fined $10,000 by the NBA for an obscene gesture he directed at a fan earlier in the week.

Weakened by flu, Iverson had a season-low 12 points and missed 15 of 19 shots in a loss to Indiana on Friday night. He had 13 points in the first quarter against Atlanta, and kept scoring.

“I didn’t feel better, but I was rested,” Iverson said.

Jason Terry had 20 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 17 for the Hawks, who are off to a 6-12 start. The 76ers lead the Atlantic Division despite a 9-9 record.

The fine, announced after the game, was for a gesture Iverson made during the 76ers’ 95-91 loss to the Bucks on Monday.

“I made a mistake and I deserve it,” Iverson said.

It was the ninth time, including playoffs, that Iverson has scored 50 or more points in his eight seasons. He made 20 of 34 shots.

“He was phenomenal,” Philadelphia Coach Randy Ayers said. “We really needed it.”

Golden State 91, San Antonio 89 -- Nick Van Exel scored 16 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter to help the Warriors beat the Spurs at Oakland.

Van Exel, in a backup role because of a sore left knee, either tied the score or gave the Warriors the lead with five of his seven fourth-quarter baskets, including a long three-pointer with 20 seconds left that proved to be the winner.

Tim Duncan, who missed an open 20-footer in the last second, led the defending champion Spurs with 27 points and 15 rebounds.

Dallas 92, Minnesota 88 -- Michael Finley scored 25 points and rookie Josh Howard provided a spark in the second half, carrying the Mavericks past the Timberwolves at Dallas in a matchup of teams playing their fourth games in five nights.

Missing the injured Dirk Nowitzki and the suspended Danny Fortson, Dallas needed fresh legs to remain undefeated at home. Howard came through, scoring seven points during a 22-4 run that turned a 12-point deficit into a six-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Kevin Garnett, who had 28 points and 20 rebounds, single-handedly kept the Timberwolves close, scoring eight of their last nine.

New York 79, New Orleans 74 -- Allan Houston scored 18 points, and Dikembe Mutombo had 13 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks to help the Knicks beat the Hornets at New York.

The Hornets committed six of their 16 turnovers in the fourth quarter and shot 32%.

Milwaukee 100, Boston 94 -- Joe Smith made two free throws with 11 seconds left and Toni Kukoc scored nine fourth-quarter points to lead the Bucks past the Celtics at Milwaukee in the second game of the teams’ home-and-home series. The Celtics won Friday at Boston.

Seattle 95, Houston 88 -- Rashard Lewis scored 27 points in his return from a one-game absence and rookie Luke Ridnour had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter as the SuperSonics beat the Rockets at Seattle.

Lewis sat out Friday night’s loss at Utah because of a death in his family.

Steve Francis led the Rockets with 28 points, but he scored only four in the fourth quarter.

Miami 78, Toronto 66 -- Rookie Dwyane Wade scored 16 points at Miami to lead the Heat. The short-handed Raptors played without starters Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams, who are part of a six-player trade with Chicago that will send Jalen Rose to Toronto.

Detroit 80, Washington 69 -- Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Chauncey Billups had 22 at Washington to lead the Pistons to their eighth victory in nine games.