Iverson scores 54, 15,000th
Allen Iverson scored a season-high 54 points, including his 15,000th career point, and the Philadelphia 76ers won for the fourth time in five games as they defeated the Milwaukee Bucks 116-97 in Milwaukee.
It was the seventh time in Iverson’s nine-year career that he scored at least 50 points in a regular-season game. He has done it three times in the playoffs.
Iverson made 17 of 29 shots and 16 of 21 free throws.
Suns 110, Wizards 96: At Phoenix, Shawn Marion had a season-high 36 points and 14 rebounds, and Quentin Richardson added 19 points in Phoenix’s win over Washington. Leading scorer Amare Stoudemire got in foul trouble and had eight points in 22 minutes for Phoenix, snapping his team-best streak of double-digit games at 53.
Bulls 85, Pacers 71: At Chicago, Eddy Curry had season highs of 23 points and 13 rebounds, and Chicago defeated Indiana for its first three-game winning streak in two years.
Mavericks 90, Hawks 68: At Dallas, Dirk Nowitzki overcame the loss of his front teeth to produce 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Dallas held Atlanta to 28 first-half points.
Spurs 104, Warriors 85: At San Antonio, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili each scored 21 points, including 15 straight in the second quarter, to lead San Antonio over Golden State. Jason Richardson led the Warriors with 22 points.
Bobcats 101, Rockets 100 (OT): At Charlotte, N.C., bloodied in the final seconds of overtime, Emeka Okafor battled for a critical loose ball that helped Charlotte secure its first winning streak by beating Houston. Okafor also had 23 points and 17 rebounds, his 12th consecutive game in double figures in both categories.
Magic 117, Nuggets 95: At Orlando, Fla., Cuttino Mobley scored 19, and Orlando snapped a three-game losing streak by beating Denver.
Trail Blazers 75, Pistons 74: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Darius Miles made a free throw with 0.5 seconds remaining, lifting Portland over Detroit. Nick Van Exel led Portland with 14 points and Miles added 13.
Celtics 114, Cavaliers 107 (OT): At Cleveland, Paul Pierce scored 34 points and Gary Payton made a crucial 3-pointer and three free throws in the final 1:17 to help Boston snap Cleveland’s nine-game, home-winning streak.
Mourning not expected to play
Alonzo Mourning won’t be reporting to the Toronto Raptors next week – and may never play for them.
Mourning, acquired from New Jersey in a trade for Vince Carter on Friday, is in Miami undergoing medical tests and will be there through Christmas, Toronto general manager Rob Babcock said.
The 34-year-old center, who underwent a kidney transplant Dec. 19, 2003, does not have to report to the Raptors or pass a physical for the trade to go through.
Nets president Rod Thorn said Friday there’s a chance Mourning would not report to Toronto because he wants to play for a winner.
Babcock claimed he hasn’t discussed a buyout with Mourning’s agent, and won’t until his medical situation becomes clearer.
If Toronto does buy out Mourning, there’s been speculation he could sign with the Miami Heat, his old team, if a deal can be reached. The Raptors also could trade him to the Heat.
Off the court
Cavaliers backup point guard Eric Snow was suspended by Cleveland for one game without pay for his sideline clash with Cleveland coach Paul Silas during Thursday night’s loss in Detroit. Snow sat out the game against Boston. The suspension will cost him about $54,000. … Guard Eddie House signed with Milwaukee before the game against Philadelphia. … Denver forward Carmelo Anthony‘s sprained left ankle sidelined him for the game against the Orlando.