76ers’ offense fuels win

The Philadelphia 76ers relied on their offense to overcome a dismal defensive performance.

Allen Iverson scored a season-high 40 points to go with 10 assists, and Marc Jackson had 20 of his season-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, leading the Sixers to a 107-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday in Philadelphia.

Kenny Thomas had 20 points and 17 rebounds, helping Philadelphia win its second straight after losing six in a row.

“It was a brilliant offensive performance and a less than desirable defensive performance,” Sixers coach Jim O’Brien said. “Our defense for the first three quarters was probably as bad as it has been all year.”

Michael Redd had 28 points and Desmond Mason added 21 for Milwaukee, which has lost 10 of 13.

The Bucks shot 50 percent (18 of 36) in the first half, but missed 30 of 47 shots in the final two quarters.

Jackson put back his own miss to give the Sixers a 100-98 lead with 1:45 left. He made a free throw 13 seconds later to put Philadelphia ahead 101-98.

After a pair of free throws by Mason cut it to 101-100 in the final minute, Jackson made two free throws. Kyle Korver and Thomas iced it with two free throws apiece.

Iverson went more than nine minutes without making a shot, before his driving layup gave the Sixers a 94-92 lead with 4:39 left. He added a jumper to make it 96-92, capping a 9-0 run.

Iverson has scored 40 or more points 58 times, including playoffs, in his nine-year career. The Sixers are 40-18 in those games.

Iverson shot 16 of 33, and made all eight of his free throws.

“I’m not in the rhythm I want to be. Games like this help,” Iverson said.

Knicks 107, Nuggets 96: Jamal Crawford scored 31 points and Stephon Marbury added 25 as the Knicks’ starting backcourt combined for 50 more points than their Nuggets counterparts in New York’s win over visiting Denver.

Crawford scored 17 points in the third quarter alone, and Marbury had 11 assists to help New York win for just the second time in six games and snap the Nuggets’ four-game winning streak.

Wizards 88, Hornets 69: Antawn Jamison and Brendan Haywood each scored 17 points as Washington handed visiting New Orleans its 10th straight loss.

Junior Harrington and former Gonzaga star Dan Dickau each scored 14 points to lead the Hornets.

Lakers 105, Magic 98: Jumaine Jones hit seven 3-pointers and finished with 25 points as Los Angeles beat visiting Orlando.

Kobe Bryant had 23 points on 6-of-23 shooting and added eight rebounds and six assists for L.A.

Trail Blazers 98, Jazz 88: Zach Randolph had 23 points and seven rebounds and Darius Miles and Damon Stoudamire each scored 15 as Portland beat visiting Utah.

The Blazers led by as many as 11 points, but the Jazz narrowed the gap and even took a short-lived lead late in the third quarter before Portland seized control.

Heat 106, Raptors 98: Shaquille O’Neal had 20 points and Dwyane Wade added 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists as Miami won in Toronto.

Warriors 99, Bobcats 87: Jason Richardson scored 24 points to help Golden State keep Charlotte winless on the road with a win over the Bobcats.

Bryant-Malone feud gets personal

The Kobe Bryant-Karl Malone feud has turned personal, with Bryant accusing Malone of making a pass at his wife.

“He was like a mentor, like a brother to me, so when something like that happens, you’re upset, you’re hurt,” Bryant said Sunday night before the Los Angeles Lakers played the Orlando Magic.

Malone has been recuperating from knee surgery, and last Tuesday his agent said he didn’t plan to return to the Lakers because of comments Bryant made in a radio interview. Bryant spoke about the Lakers having to look over their shoulders, wondering whether Malone was going to play again.

Malone’s agent, Dwight Manley, said then that Malone was furious at Bryant, and also said private, personal attacks were involved, but would not elaborate.

Bryant elaborated plenty on Sunday.

He said he had phoned Malone, who has a home near Bryant’s in Newport Beach, after Vanessa Bryant told her husband on Nov. 23 that Malone had made inappropriate comments to her that night at the game at Staples Center.

Bryant said he called Malone and told him, “Stay away from my wife. What’s wrong with you? How could you?”

Malone was unavailable for comment Sunday.