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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MIAMI (AP) – Alonzo Mourning's best game yet made all the
difference against the Philadelphia 76ers.
|  | | Allen Iverson scored 40 or more points for the 17th time this season, the most since Michael Jordan did it 22 times in 1989-90. |
Mourning had 20 points, 16 rebounds and a crucial block of Allen
Iverson's final shot attempt Tuesday night, helping the Miami Heat
beat Philadelphia for the first time in four tries this season,
83-81.
Tim Hardaway sank a 22-footer with 5.6 seconds left for the winning margin.
Iverson scored 41 points, but the Heat shut him out in the
frantic final 1:52. As time ran out, Aaron McKie was short on a 25-foot attempt that would have won the game while Iverson stood on the other side of the court, blanketed by Bruce Bowen.
"The way Allen was going, I would have liked to have gotten it
in his hands," 76ers coach Larry Brown said. "It probably would
have helped, but they did a good job of taking it away from him."
The Heat won their fourth game in a row and improved to 5-3
since Mourning returned after missing the first 69 games because of
a kidney ailment.
"We have a huge window of opportunity to get to that championship level," Mourning said. "If we just stay the course, the sky's the limit."
The All-Star center's point and rebound totals were
season-highs.
"I'm thrilled he's back," a gracious Brown said. "He was just sensational."
Iverson went 14-for-28, scoring 40 or more points for the 17th time this season. His final basket put Philadelphia ahead 79-77,
but his only shot the rest of the game was blocked by Mourning.
"They really wanted this game," Iverson said. "I don't blame
them. They're in the process of getting their chemistry right."
Heat guard Eddie Jones returned after missing 15 games with a
dislocated left shoulder. He came off the bench in the second
quarter and was briefly in the lineup with Mourning for the first
time this season, but he played only nine minutes, went 0-for-3 and
did not score.
"I've just got to get my rhythm back," Jones said. "I
probably looked like trash, but it felt great to be out there."
The victory was Miami's first in four games this season against the 76ers, who supplanted the Heat this year as Atlantic Division champions.
"That's going to be the nature of the Eastern Conference playoffs," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "The games are going to be close and hotly contested."
Philadelphia could meet the Heat again as early as the second
round of the Eastern Conference playoffs if Miami falls to fourth
place in the conference. The Heat currently hold a one-game lead
over the fourth-place New York Knicks.
"It would be great for basketball to have a series like this," Brown said. "But anybody who would wish to meet them is nuts."
Miami tied the score at 75, 77 and then 79 on a bank shot by Mourning with 1:43 left. Anthony Mason scored to put the Heat ahead
81-79, but after Hardaway and Mason missed shots on the next Miami
possession, Dikembe Mutombo hit a layup with 17.5 seconds left to
tie the game again. He was fouled but missed the free throw, and
Miami called timeout.
On the ensuing possession, Mason kicked the ball out to
Hardaway, who hit a jumper over Eric Snow.
"He has made so many during his time," Snow said. "He pushed
off and made the shot with a hand in his face. Give him credit."
"I like doing that," Hardaway said. "I like taking big
shots."
Game notes
Philadelphia center Matt Geiger didn't dress because of
swelling in his right knee. ... Iverson came within two points of
the AmericanAirlines Arena scoring record set by Mourning in
February 2000. ... Philadelphia had won the previous three meetings
by an average of 11 points.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Miami Clubhouse
Jones' return puts Heat at full strength
Lawrence: Heat is on to figure out rotation fast
RECAPS
Cleveland 101
Orlando 78
Miami 83
Philadelphia 81
Milwaukee 105
Chicago 84
Denver 100
Houston 99
San Antonio 91
Dallas 79
Portland 116
Golden State 88
Minnesota 104
Vancouver 91
LA Lakers 106
Phoenix 80
Sacramento 116
LA Clippers 109
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Never mind the personal stats, Alonzo Mourning was pleased with the way Miami played collectively (Courtesy: TBS Sports).
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Tim Hardaway talks about his game-winning shot with 5.6 seconds remaining (Courtesy: TBS Sports).
wav: 112 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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