Iverson sparkles as 76ers end five-game losing streak

Reuters Philadelphia

Allen Iverson scored 23 points to help the Philadelphia 76ers record a crushing 93-71 victory over the Denver Nuggets Monday.

The 76ers (16-9) ended a five-game losing streak while holding the Nuggets to 22 points in the first half. Keith Van Horn added 15 points for Philadelphia and Todd MacCulloch 13.

Philadelphia coach Larry Brown left early in the second half because of a stomach virus. Randy Ayers took over for the rest of the game.

Rookie Nene Hilario had a season-high 23 points for the Nuggets, who have lost five in a row and 10 of their last 11 games. Denver (6-19) lost all four games on its road trip and is just 2-11 on its travels this season.

In Cleveland, Rashard Lewis scored 29 points and 10 rebounds and Predrag Drobnjak had a career-high 23 points as the Seattle SuperSonics defeated the Cavaliers 111-98.

Gary Payton also had 23 points and nine assists for Seattle, moving into ninth place on the all-time NBA assists list with 7,164. Reggie Lewis pulled down 17 rebounds.

Ricky Davis had 20 points for the Cavaliers, who are 3-4 since their 15-game losing streak.

In Miami, Steve Francis hit a three-point shot at the buzzer to force overtime before the Houston Rockets went on to beat the Heat 105-100.

Cuttino Mobley scored 27 points for the Rockets while Francis had 21. Yao Ming added 15 points and 12 rebounds while Eddie Griffin and Glen Rice had 15 points apiece.

Eddie Jones collected 32 points for Miami, 17 in the fourth quarter when the Heat rallied from a 14-point deficit.

In Memphis, Pau Gasol and Gordan Giricek both scored 18 points as the Grizzlies won for the fifth time in six games, downing the Golden State Warriors 104-91.

Wesley Person added 13 points for Memphis, 11 coming in the fourth quarter. The Warriors went scoreless for nearly seven minutes to end the game.

Antawn Jamison had 19 points for Golden State (8-16) while Troy Murphy added 12 points and 14 rebounds.

In Chicago, Jalen Rose had 24 points as the Bulls won their fourth game in five tries, upsetting the Boston Celtics 94-83.

Marcus Fizer scored 20 points and tied his career high with 17 rebounds coming off the bench for Chicago. Donyell Marshall added 20 points and 13 rebounds.

Paul Pierce had 37 points and 15 rebounds for Boston (16-8) but the Celtics still lost their second consecutive game.

In Phoenix, Shawn Marion had 19 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Suns past the Tracy McGrady-less Orlando Magic 87-84.

Anfernee Hardaway added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Suns, winners of four games in a row. Amare Stoudemire added 15 points.

Orlando lost its second in succession and fifth in a row on the road without McGrady, who injured his back Sunday. Pat Garrity had 21 points for the Magic while Jeryl Sasser added 14 points and 11 rebounds.

In Los Angeles, Michael Olowokandi had 17 points and 18 rebounds as the Clippers won their second consecutive game, 91-79 over the San Antonio Spurs.

Quentin Richardson added 21 points to the Clippers attack while Elton Brand scored 16 points and had eight rebounds. Andre Miller chipped in with 12 points and eight assists.

Tim Duncan had 32 points and 11 rebounds for the Spurs, who had their two-game winning streak snapped. San Antonio has won just three times on the road in 10 games this season.