Iverson's return with the Sixers vs Nuggets (7-12-09)
2:53 December 07, 2009
Sports
Alessio2468
Billups, Nuggets spoil Iverson's return to Philadelphia.
On the road in front of the first sellout crowd in Philadelphia all season, the Denver Nuggets overcame the emotional return of Allen Iverson.
The Nuggets also overcame some poor shooting and easily Carmelo Anthony's least impressive game.
Yet the Nuggets dug deep and found a way to still win, 93-83, over the 76ers before a packed house of 20,664 at the Wachovia Center.
Iverson's second debut was successful as he finished with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds in nearly 38 minutes.
It wasn't nearly enough to help stop a losing streak, which now stands at 10 games for the reeling 5-16 Sixers.
The Nuggets (16-5) will continue to gain confidence with road wins like this one.
Anthony was 5-for-21 from the field and scored a season-low 14 points.
But Chauncey Billups sure made up for it with a scintillating performance.
The veteran guard scored 31 points and added eight assists and eight rebounds while hitting all 11 of his free throws.
Billups made and attempted more free throws than the entire Sixers team -- 8-for-9.
"Defense led to offense for us," Billups said. "Defense is what wins games. On this particular night, I had to pick it up offensively. On this team, it's a team effort every night. I just happened to be the one scoring in this game. As long as we get Ws, I don't care who scores. Believe me, 'Melo isn't going to be held to 14 too often."
Ty Lawson provided a huge spark off the bench with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists while J.R. Smith scored 11 points and Arron Afflalo had nine points on three of his patented 3-pointers from the corner.
This collective effort has vaulted the Nuggets to their best 21-game start in franchise history.
After advancing to the Western Conference Finals last season, this year's version is off and running.
"I think in training camp, we got together and talked about our goals," Afflalo said.
"We want to stay hungry. We can't let up.
Getting road wins is big. We're a confident team, but gaining even more confidence never hurts."
Buoyed by Iverson's return, the Sixers built a 65-60 lead with 1:34 remaining in the third quarter.
How did the Nuggets respond? Try a 17-0 run to take a commanding 77-65 lead with 8:27 left.
How else did the Nuggets respond? Try 10-for-11 shooting to open the fourth quarter.
They connected on their first four 3-pointers and drained 11-for-18 overall.
"The three-ball was very good to us," Denver coach George Karl said.
The fans were thrilled to see the 34-year-old Iverson back in a Sixers uniform.
He was 4-for-11 from the field and seemed tired at times, which makes sense considering he hasn't played in more than a month.
"It is just going to take time and I have to get into a rhythm," Iverson said.
"It was frustrating not being able to do what I am accustomed to doing because I was so weak."
Added Sixers coach Eddie Jordan: "I thought (Iverson) got going later in the game.
I thought he got a little better.
At the beginning of the game, he did not seem to have a lot of lift or explosiveness in his legs.
Later in the game, he got to the line. He was one of only two guys to get to the line."
The other A.I. -- Andre Iguodala -- paced the Sixers with 31 points, while Thaddeus Young scored 21 points and center Samuel Dalembert was terrific with eight points, 15 rebounds and six blocked shots. Elton Brand added a double-double of 10 points and 13 rebounds.
In the fourth quarter, the Sixers defense wasn't as effective as it was in the first half.
That was a big turning point in this game.
"It seemed like we just ran out of steam the start of the fourth quarter," Jordan said.
"We lost some energy, lost some continuity.
They went on a serious run."
The Nuggets appear to be on a serious run once again in the Western Conference.
They have won four straight, and when you can do that without playing your best, well, it means this is a dangerous team which is maturing on a daily basis.
"I've been so impressed by how poised this team has been all season," Lawson said.
"Coming in as a rookie has been a fairly easy transition because of the veteran leadership.
If one guy has a down night, someone else steps it up."
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