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Sunday, Dec. 26 8:00pm ET
76ers hold Sonics to 33 percent shooting | |||||
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
SEATTLE (AP) -- While Allen Iverson had a big night on offense, it was the Philadelphia 76ers' defense that was the difference in their victory over the Seattle SuperSonics. Iverson scored 34 points, and the 76ers held the Sonics to a season-low 33 percent shooting from the field in a 92-86 victory Sunday night.
"We have been unable in the past to beat teams like Seattle because we could never handle a player like Vin Baker," 76ers coach Larry Brown said. "As a team, we defended pretty darn well. When Payton has his outside shot going, he will have big numbers." The Sonics made just 27 of 81 shots from the field. Baker managed 10 points on 2-for-11 shooting, and was scoreless in 21 minutes in the first half. The 76ers scored the last eight points of the game, including Iverson's two clinching free throws with nine seconds left, as they swept the season series from the Sonics for the first time since the 1991-92 season. "I am always amazed by the things Allen does," Philadelphia guard Eric Snow said. "He hasn't reached his potential yet." Iverson had 12 of his points in the fourth and connected on eight of 10 from the free-throw line. Philadelphia reserves Larry Hughes and Todd MacCullough scored 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the 76ers. Baker's free throw gave the Sonics an 86-84 lead with 1:49 left. But the Sonics missed their final five shots, including four 3-pointers. Aaron McKie tied the game 86-86 with a basket with 1:08 left before Tyrone Hill and Snow each made two free throws. Gary Payton led the Sonics with 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. After fouling Iverson with nine seconds left, Payton kicked the scorer's table in frustration and was whistled for his second technical foul of the game and was ejected. "If our offense is struggling, we need to pick it up on the defensive end," Payton said. "I didn't see that tonight. This is not the Gary Payton show. Everybody on our starting unit has to play well for us to win." Payton was 12-for-26 from the field and 6-for-14 from 3-point range. Brent Barry had 12 and Baker added 10 for the Sonics. Iverson, the NBA's leading scorer, was 12-for-30 from the field and had six assists and six rebounds to go with six turnovers. The Sonics lost their third straight, the first time this season they have dropped three in a row. With the game tied at 86, Baker missed an 18-foot jump shot and Horace Grant tipped in the miss, but he was called for a loose ball foul. Hill's two free throws put the 76ers ahead to stay. Iverson grabbed a rebound off a Seattle miss to start the third period, dribbled the length of the court and split two Sonics defenders for a layup. The 76ers' biggest lead was 64-55 with 4:44 left in the third quarter after Payton was called for a technical foul by David Jones. The Sonics crept within 70-66 after three periods. The Sonics made just 33 percent of their attempts through three quarters. Baker went scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting in the first half, had one rebound and three turnovers in 21 minutes. Iverson's base-line runner gave the 76ers a 50-47 halftime lead. Payton kept the Sonics close with 21 points and five assists. Game notesThe 76ers ended a string of 12 straight losses by beating the Sonics 117-98 in their first meeting of the season. ... MacCullough, a former University of Washington star, sparked a 76ers run in the first quarter with eight points during a 10-0 76ers run. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Philadelphia Clubhouse Seattle Clubhouse RECAPS Washington 103 Houston 92
Philadelphia 92
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