Iverson recorded his first career triple-double, collecting 30 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers coasted to a 116-92 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The NBA's reigning Most Valuable Player, Iverson has always been known for his scoring. But he was an all-around player Monday, making 10-of-22 shots from the field and helping the Sixers post their best offensive output of the season.
"I know it's a great accomplishment, but it's a team accomplishment," Iverson said. "Without teammates, you can't get a triple-double. They did a great job finishing, they did a great job of getting me the ball to get the points, and they did a great job of boxing out. Guys my size don't get a bunch of rebounds. It was a total team effort. Without them, this wouldn't be possible."
 Allen Iverson logged his first career triple-double with 30 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images |
Matt Harpring added 19 points and Dikembe Mutombo 16 and 12 rebounds for the Sixers, who opened a 53-38 lead at haltime and cruised the rest of the way.
Philadelphia, which was returning home following a 3-4 road trip, has won three of its last four games.
"I was concerned about this game because I thought we would be tired," Brown said. "That is why we did not have a shootaround. We started out with such life. I think when you start out and it is too easy, it is very difficult if a team comes back at you. We handled it extremely well."
Quentin Richardson netted 21 points to lead the Clippers, who were playing the opener of a six-game road trip.
Los Angeles coach Alvin Gentry was ejected in the fourth quarter after picking up two technical fouls.
"We just didn't play well, that's the bottom line," Gentry said. "This was one of the few games that I don't think we competed hard. I didn't like our effort at the start and that's important.
"In general, we we've played hard almost every single game we walked out there. I just think that if you're going to beat a team like Philadelphia, you've got to get at it right away and I didn't think we did that. That's the disappointing thing."
Starting to look more and more like the defending Eastern Conference champions, Philadelphia controlled things virtually the entire way against the upstart Clippers.
Corey Maggette scored the game's opening basket, but that was the Clippers' only lead of the night. Iverson had nine points by the end of the first quarter, helping the Sixers to a 26-16 advantage.
A layup by Darius Miles pulled the Clippers within 36-33 with 4:52 left in the half, but that was as close as they would get.
Derrick Coleman, who scored 13 points, hit a short jumper and Harpring and Iverson made two free throws apiece, triggering a 17-5 burst that gave Philadelphia a 53-38 cushion at the half.
Philadelphia led by at least 15 points the entire second half.
Iverson scored 13 points and Coleman and Harpring each added 11 in the opening 24 minutes.
"We know where the top teams are in the standings and we're going to be at the top by the All-Star game," said Iverson, whose team has a 15-19 record. "We got to get that respect back in us to the point where people come in here and have a doubt in their mind. People aren't as scared of us as they used to be. If we start beating people, they'll get scared again."
The only thing in doubt in the second half was Iverson's triple-double. He collected his 10th assist midway through the fourth quarter on a 3-pointer by Aaron Mckie before reaching double figures in rebounds seconds later.
McKie added 14 points for the Sixers, who shot 52 percent (48-of-93) and held a 54-49 rebounding advantage.
Maggette added 16 points and Lamar Odom 13 for Los Angeles, which shot just 35 percent (31-of-89).