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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Allen Iverson says he knows he's injured
when someone can defend him. If that's the case, then he must be
better.
|  | | Dikembe Mutombo had 12 points and 17 rebounds Monday for the 76ers. |
Iverson scored 36 points in his first game back to help the
76ers end a five-game losing streak with a 90-78 win over the
Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night.
"If it comes to a point that somebody can guard me, then I know
I'm hurt," Iverson said. "My thing is as long as I can run, I can
play. And I could run."
Iverson showed no sign of the severe left hip bruise that caused
him to miss five of the last six games. He scored on his first
shot, scored 13 of the team's 19 points in the first quarter and
played a total of 42 minutes.
Coach Larry Brown said he was confident that Iverson was better
after watching him in practice Sunday.
"His arm wasn't sore, I know that," Brown joked Monday.
Dikembe Mutombo had 17 rebounds and 12 points, and Aaron McKie
scored 20 points – though Iverson still scored more than the rest
of the 76ers' starting line combined (31 points).
The loss snapped Milwaukee's five-game win streak. The Bucks won
the last two meetings with the 76ers this season.
"It happens. We just carry on. The better team won tonight,"
Bucks guard Sam Cassell said. "I think if we meet in the playoffs,
it's going to be a hell of a series."
Cassell led the Bucks with 20 points before going out with a
bruised left knee at the end of the third period. Ray Allen and
Glenn Robinson scored 18 points each.
The 76ers started slow, going 1-for-16 over the first 6:16 and
missing 13 straight field goals in the first quarter.
The 76ers took their first lead of the game with 1:03 left in
the second period, then never trailed again. Milwaukee led by as
many as nine in the first quarter, but gave up 25 turnovers for 25
points. Philadelphia had 14 turnovers for six points.
Philadelphia went on a 15-8 run midway through the third and
took its biggest lead to that point, 62-50, with a slam by Mutombo
at 6:27.
"The way we started out it's a miracle we won the game," coach
Larry Brown said. "It was like a playoff game in my mind. They had
beaten us twice. This was a major win for us."
Iverson flourished in his return. After a turnover by rookie
Rafer Alston, Iverson drove alone to the basket – smiling at the
Bucks' bench as he gave the 76ers their biggest lead of the game,
75-59, to end the third period.
He said his hip cramped some in the second half.
"I thought I might have tried to run too fast. But once I was
able to deal with the pain, I was OK," he said. "I know I'll be
sore tomorrow. But that's the way it goes."
Iverson leads the NBA in scoring (31.1 ppg), in steals (2.47 per
game) and in minutes (42.2 per game). In his absence, the 76ers
dropped five straight – their longest losing streak since March 27,
1998 – and are 12-14 when Iverson is out.
"There's great excitement just having him back," Mutombo said.
"It takes a lot of pressure off us."
Game notes
The Bucks and 76ers are the only two teams to have already
clinched playoff berths. ... This is Allen's 354th straight start,
the most of any active player. He has not missed a game since
joining the NBA. ... The Bucks are one of only three teams who
average 100.8 points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Philadelphia Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 90
Milwaukee 78
Denver 109
Chicago 104
Phoenix 104
LA Lakers 83
Dallas 98
Utah 90
Portland 104
LA Clippers 96
Seattle 104
Cleveland 86
New York 89
Golden State 87
AUDIO/VIDEO
 SportsCenter highlights of the Sixers win over Milwaukee.
avi: 2650 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 The Sixers' Allen Iverson comments on his speedy recovery.
wav: 165 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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