Iverson free throws send 76ers over Clips
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-02-07 09:09

Allen Iverson scored 28 points, including the winning free throws with 1:01 to play, to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 106-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday.

Philadelphia 76ers' Allen Iverson (3) chases a loose ball over Los Angele Clippers' Rick Brunson during the first half Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005, in Philadelphia. [AP]

Neither team had much of a cushion in the final quarter, leading to a thrilling final few minutes and giving the sparse home crowd something to cheer about other than the Philadelphia Eagles' appearance in the Super Bowl a few hours later.

Iverson put the Sixers ahead 104-101 on a 3-pointer with 1:44 left only to have Booby Simmons of the Clippers answer with a three-point play.

Iverson was fouled on the next possession by Elton Brand and calmly made the go-ahead free throws, turning the attention of a rabid Eagles crowd back to the Sixers.

The Clippers were then called for a shot-clock violation, but got another chance to tie when Corliss Williamson missed for Philly.

Rick Brunson went for the win, but his 3-point attempt was off the mark. Iverson grabbed the ball, hurled it into the air and it landed in the crowd.

The Sixers completed a 3-1 homestand and moved within one game of .500 overall (23-24).

Kyle Korver had 16 points, Andre Iguodala added 15 and Williamson and Kenny Thomas each scored 14 for the Sixers.

Simmons led the Clippers with 27 points, while Brand had 21 and Chris Kaman 18.

There were 22 lead changes and 23 ties. The Sixers had the biggest lead — nine points.

With tipoff only a few hours before the start of the Super Bowl, there were thousands of empty seats, plenty of fans in Eagles jerseys and the "E-A-G-L-E-S!" chant was out in full force in the second half. Each side of the arena took turns trying to outshout the other with the earsplitting rally yell.

Finally, someone shouted, "What about the Sixers?"

Few cared, though one front-row fan held a sign that read "I chose A.I. over T.O."

Unlike Terrell Owens, there was no "will he or won't he play" drama with Iverson, who needed X-rays Friday on his sprained left shoulder. He was in the starting lineup, banging and crashing like he always does. When he made a steal late in the fourth, it generated the first sustained chant for the Sixers.

What most Philly fans will find when they come out of this Eagles haze is a Sixers team still in the thick of the playoff race thanks to a weak Atlantic Division.

Corey Maggette, Los Angeles' leading scorer, missed his fifth consecutive game with a collarbone injury. Kerry Kittles was also out with a strained right groin.

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