Iverson Scores 54 Points for 76ers

Allen Iverson scored an NBA season-high 54 points, including his 15,000th career point, and the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the host Milwaukee Bucks, 116-97, Saturday night.

“I called his play as many times as I possibly could, and it makes my job a lot easier,” Coach Jim O’Brien said.

It was the seventh time in Iverson’s nine-season career that he had scored at least 50 points in a regular-season game, and he has done it three times in the playoffs.

His career high is 58 points, against Houston in an overtime game Jan. 15, 2002. The 54 points tied his second-highest scoring total in a regular-season game.

The Bucks tried several defenders against the five-time All-Star, but none could slow him. He made 17 of 29 shots and 16 of 21 free throws before leaving with 2 minutes 34 seconds to play and the 76ers ahead, 106-87.

Charlotte 101, Houston 100 -- Rookie Emeka Okafor had 23 points and 17 rebounds, his 12th consecutive game in double figures in both categories, to help the Bobcats secure the overtime victory.

The Bobcats won their second consecutive game and fifth consecutive at the Charlotte Coliseum.

Tracy McGrady scored 29 for the Rockets, who blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Dallas 90, Atlanta 68 -- Dirk Nowitzki overcame the loss of his front teeth to produce 15 points and 12 rebounds at Dallas, and the Mavericks held the Hawks to 28 points in the first half.

Nowitzki was hit in the mouth by teammate Jason Terry and Atlanta’s Jason Collier while going for a rebound early in the first quarter. He returned late in the quarter without the dental bridge that comprises most of his top teeth and had it put back at halftime with an adhesive cream a team employee bought at a drug store.

Portland 75, Detroit 74 -- Darius Miles made a free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining to lift the Trail Blazers at Auburn Hills, Mich.

Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, who finished with 16 points, tied the score, 74-74, with a three-point basket with 7.8 seconds left, but Ben Wallace was called for a foul after colliding with Miles, who was driving to the basket.

Boston 114, Cleveland 107 -- Paul Pierce scored 34 points and Gary Payton made a key three-pointer and three free throws in the last 1:17 in overtime, and the Celtics ended the Cavaliers’ nine-game home winning streak.

LeBron James scored 31 points for the Cavaliers before fouling out near the end.

The Cavaliers were without backup point guard Eric Snow, who was suspended for one game without pay -- about $54,000 -- by the team for his sideline clash with Coach Paul Silas during Cleveland’s loss at Detroit on Thursday night.

Phoenix 110, Washington 96 -- Shawn Marion had a season-high 36 points and 14 rebounds, and Quentin Richardson scored 19 points for the Suns at Phoenix.

Steven Hunter tied his career high with 17 points, including two late put-backs that locked up the Suns’ eighth consecutive win and franchise-best 17th win in 18 games.

Chicago 85, Indiana 71 -- Eddy Curry had season highs with 23 points and 13 rebounds at Chicago and the Bulls earned their first three-game winning streak in two years.

Jamaal Tinsley scored a career-high 33 points for the Pacers before being ejected after getting two technical fouls with 52 seconds to play.

San Antonio 104, Golden State 85 -- Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili each scored 21 points at San Antonio to help the Spurs beat the Warriors for the 15th consecutive time.

Jason Richardson led the Warriors with 22 points, 16 in the first half.

Orlando 117, Denver 95 -- Cuttino Mobley scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack, and the host Magic ended a three-game losing streak.

Orlando shot a season-high 58.1%, had six players score in double figures and tied its season best with 30 assists.

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Alonzo Mourning, acquired by Toronto from New Jersey in a trade for Vince Carter on Friday, is in Miami undergoing medical tests and will be there through Christmas, the Raptors said.

The 34-year-old center, who underwent a kidney transplant on Dec. 19, 2003, does not have to report to the Raptors or pass a physical for the trade to go through.

“We waived that because there was no way he’d probably pass a physical,” Raptor General Manager Rob Babcock said.