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Allen’s 26 helps Sonics nip Sixers

Chris Webber weaves through Seattle traffic and big man Robert Swift. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press The Spokesman-Review
Chris Webber weaves through Seattle traffic and big man Robert Swift. (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

SEATTLE – Ray Allen scored 26 points to help the Seattle SuperSonics beat the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers 102-98 on Thursday night.

Philadelphia was missing Allen Iverson, who sprained his right foot early in last Sunday’s win in Memphis. He did not play in Tuesday’s loss at home to Toronto and didn’t accompany the Sixers to Seattle. Coach Maurice Cheeks said Iverson would not play on Friday in Los Angeles against the Clippers.

The Sixers have lost 5 of 6.

Trailing 94-92, Chris Webber missed consecutive short jumpers that could have pulled the 76ers even. After the second miss, Seattle’s Earl Watson ripped the rebound away from Steven Hunter, then found Allen on the wing for a 3-pointer with 54.8 seconds left.

John Salmons scored to pull the Sixers to 97-94, and Watson followed by missing a 3-pointer. Watson hustled back on defense and blocked Salmons’ layup attempt. Matt Barnes got the rebound and was fouled by Allen, but made just one free throw.

Luke Ridnour was fouled with 12.7 seconds left and made both free throws for a 99-95 Seattle lead. Salmons made a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left, but Seattle got the ball inbounded to Allen, who was fouled and rimmed-out the first free throw before making the second.

Out of timeouts, the Sixers tried to throw downcourt, but Rashard Lewis intercepted the pass and got the ball to Allen, who was fouled and made both free throws.

Seattle outscored Philadelphia 29-19 in the fourth quarter, after the Sixers were outscored 33-12 in the fourth quarter in the loss to Toronto.

Allen led a balanced attack for Seattle, which has won three of four. Lewis added 18 points, including a 3-pointer with 3:16 left to put Seattle ahead 92-90. Chris Wilcox had 17 points and his dunk with 3:54 left gave Seattle an 89-88 lead, its first since late in the first quarter.

Hunter scored a career-high 20 points and blocked six shots, but was just 4 for 9 from the foul line. Webber scored 20 and had 11 rebounds, but shot just 9 of 26.

Andre Iguodala added 17 points, Kyle Korver scored 16 and Salmons had 12.

Watson, Johan Petro and Robert Swift all finished with 12 points.