 Aaron McKie and his mates took it hard to the Pistons. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images from Pistons-Sixers: 56k | 300k |
Although the 76ers have not lost since Iverson returned from elbow surgery, the reigning NBA MVP has not played particularly well, shooting less than 33 percent from the field.
"With me not on the floor, it's just a different team," Iverson said. "I think we're better when I am on the floor. That's just because I've been around with these guys. We went to the Finals last year."
"I think Allen has the ability to shoot 47-48 percent and I think when he gets healthy, he will," Sixers coach Larry Brown said. "I think when we get more familiar with each other, we'll get better shot distribution."
It was more of the same as Iverson made just 8-of-24 shots through the first three quarters and the Pistons -- who lost leading scorer Jerry Stackhouse to a groin injury in the second quarter -- took a 68-65 lead into the final 12 minutes.
Iverson scored 17 points in the fourth period. He made a short jumper and 3-pointer to tie it before Coleman's turnaround shot gave Philadelphia the lead for good at 74-72 with 9:12 to play.
But Coleman went down with a sprained ankle and left the court. Without a second scoring option, Iverson took charge down the stretch.
Iverson's jumper capped a 13-1 surge in which he scored nine points and gave the Sixers an 80-73 lead with 7:16 remaining. The Pistons closed to 84-83 on a layup by Jon Barry with 3:24 to go, but Iverson drilled another jumper with 2:56 left.
Clifford Robinson, who picked up the slack for Stackhouse with a season-high 35 points, hit a jumper and Detroit had a chance to take the lead after Iverson missed. But Dana Barros missed a jumper and Iverson made four from the line around one by Robinson for a 90-86 lead with 58 seconds to play.
"It's tough when you play against a guy of Iverson's magnitude," Pistons coach Rick Carlisle said. "You've got to be almost perfect defensively. I thought we made him work. We made a good effort for the most part on him."
Iverson made 12-of-35 shots and 12-of-12 free throws. Coleman scored 16 points and Aaron McKie added 15 for the Sixers, who have beaten the Pistons six straight times.
Brown said Coleman would not play Friday vs. Cleveland and was doubtful for Sunday at Toronto.
Barry scored 14 points and Stackhouse finished with just four for Detroit, which has not won in seven visits to Philadelphia since March 23, 1998.
Off to their best start since 1996, Detroit (7-3) showed some grit without its best player, fighting back from a 13-point deficit to lead by 12 in the third quarter.
"We were certainly right there," Barry said. "We lose Stack and we fought very hard. It could've been a game we could've had."
"I just think they (Sixers) have the confidence of knowing how good they are," Robinson said. "I think that's a big part of it, knowing that you're a very good team and because you've been in situations, you know what to do."
The Pistons trailed 26-13 after one period but used a 19-4 run to close the second quarter and take a 44-40 lead. Stackhouse hurt himself as he rose for a breakaway layup early in the third period, but Detroit ignored his absence and widened the margin to 58-46 on a free throw by Ben Wallace with 5:52 left.
"It happened on the play where he stole the ball," Carlisle said. "It doesn't appear to be serious."
The Sixers still trailed by 11 points with two minutes to play before Iverson had a pair of hoops in a 10-2 surge to close the quarter.
Dikembe Mutombo had 13 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks for Philadelphia. Wallace had nine, 12 and six for Detroit, which was beaten on the boards, 50-35.