Iverson’s 45 Carry 76ers Past the Heat

Allen Iverson had 45 points and 11 assists, leading the 76ers to a 106-98 victory over the Miami Heat on Monday night at Philadelphia.

Shaquille O’Neal scored 24 points for Miami, which has gone 5-6 since a 14-game win streak.

With Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens and Brian Westbrook highlighting a group of Eagles at courtside, the game was practically an afterthought for fans in a frenzy over the Super Bowl.

Portland 107, San Antonio 99 -- Damon Stoudamire had 23 points and nine assists, and Joel Przybilla had 17 points and 16 rebounds to help the host Trail Blazers end a six-game losing streak against the NBA’s winningest team.

Tim Duncan had 24 points for the Spurs (34-10), whose four-game winning streak ended.

Minnesota 86, Detroit 83 -- Kevin Garnett had 22 points and nine rebounds, but the reserves saved the day at Minneapolis.

Wally Szczerbiak (15 points), Eddie Griffin (14 points, 10 rebounds) and Fred Hoiberg (nine points) helped Minnesota win its third in a row.

Chauncey Billups had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Detroit, which lost its fourth in a row.

Houston 89, Orlando 78 -- Yao Ming had 22 points and 10 rebounds to help the Rockets spoil Steve Francis’ return to Houston, despite playing without leading scorer Tracy McGrady because of a family emergency.

Francis, who received a brief ovation during introductions before getting a smattering of boos later, had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists but also committed seven turnovers.

Washington 106, Cleveland 97 -- Anthony Peeler made three three-point baskets and scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, and Gilbert Arenas scored 30 to help the Wizards overcome a 17-point first-half deficit to win at Cleveland.

LeBron James had 31 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Cleveland.

Chicago 107, Atlanta 82 -- Eddy Curry had 19 points, five of his teammates also reached double figures at Atlanta and the Bulls (20-19) surged over .500 for the first time in more than two years.