IVERSON LEADS SIXERS TO VICTORY IN RETURN TO DENVERTHE SPORTS NETWORK
1/4/2010 12:32:05 AM
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Allen Iverson led Philadelphia with 17 points and seven assists in his return to Denver, as the Sixers held off the Nuggets, 108-105.
The 10-time All-Star Iverson returned to the Pepsi Center for just the second time since being traded to Detroit early last season. Following a disappointing stay in the Motor City, Iverson signed with Memphis this offseason but lasted just three games with the Grizzlies before being released and signing with Philadelphia.
Elton Brand added 16 points and seven rebounds for the Sixers, who finished a six-game road trip with a 3-3 mark. Lou Williams and Thaddeus Young each chipped in 12 points in the victory.
Nene ended with 24 points and 15 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have lost six of eight. Ty Lawson tied career highs with 23 points and nine assists, and Arron Afflalo and Kenyon Martin had 17 points apiece for Denver, which continued to miss guard Chauncey Billups (groin) and forward Carmelo Anthony (knee).
The 76ers started the fourth on a 12-4 flurry, which Brand capped with a basket to make it a 96-80 game in favor of Philadelphia.
Trailing, 103-89, Denver put together a 16-3 run to get within a point. Lawson tallied seven points during the stretch, including a layup to make it a 106-105 game tilt with 11.0 seconds to play.
Willie Green made 1-of-2 from the foul line at the other end to give the Sixers a two-point edge with 8.7 ticks to go. Andre Iguodala grabbed Green's missed foul shot and was immediately fouled with 5.4 seconds remaining. Iguodala also went 1-of-2 from the charity stripe, making it a 108-105 contest.
Afflalo missed a three-pointer from the corner in the final seconds.
The Nuggets led, 36-27, after the first quarter, but the Sixers slowly chipped away at their deficit in the second. Down, 42-33, Philadelphia went on a 13-4 run to deadlock the tilt. Marreese Speights' jumper made it a 46-46 game with about five minutes left until half.
The 76ers went in front near the end of the second, but Lawson's trey and jumper at the end of the half had Denver ahead, 60-59, at the break.
Trailing, 72-67, the Sixers ended the third on a 17-4 burst. Green's deuce gave Philadelphia an 84-76 margin heading to the fourth.
Game Notes
Philadelphia shot 50 percent from the field, while the Nuggets made 53.2 percent of their shots...Denver was shooting for its fourth straight win over the Sixers...Nuggets forward Chris Andersen left in the second quarter with a sprained left ankle. X-rays were negative.
http://www.tsn.ca/nba/story/?id=304669
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