CHARLOTTE, NC, Feb. 7 (Ticker) -- Allen Iverson got some unlikely help from Corie Blount.
Iverson scored 36 points and Blount added a season-high 15 as the Philadelphia 76ers headed to the All-Star break with a 100-93 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
Iverson, a starting guard for the Eastern Conference All-Stars, was his usual spectacular self, making 16-of-30 shots and four steals as he shook off a brief slump.
"I just took what came for me during the course of the game," said Iverson, who was coming off a pair of frustrating fourth quarters. "At times I felt more free than I had been in other games."
But the 76ers could not having been expecting the offense that came from Blount, who has struggled this season, averaging just 2.8 points per game. He started at power forward for the injured Derrick Coleman (knee) and put together his best game of the season.
"I've just been feeling better lately," Blount said. "I sprained my ankle and I have been playing on a bad ankle for what seems like 12, 13, 14 games. Now my ankle is starting to come around. I think I'll be able to be a little more athletic than I have and a little more mobile, so it's just paying off for me."
Blount made 7-of-8 shots, almost all of them on follow shots and layups. He also pulled down nine rebounds and helped the Sixers match up with the bigger Hornets.
"The inside game was definitely big tonight because they started a big lineup on us," he said. "They have a good rebounding team, so for us to be able to compete with those guys made it better."
"Corie Blount played really well," Iverson said.
Blount's tip-in with 2:19 remaining gave the Sixers the lead for good at 91-89. On Philadelphia's next two possessions, Iverson made a step-back jumper and a twisting runner in the lane for a 95-89 advantage with 1:47 to go.
Matt Harpring collected 16 points and nine rebounds and Dikembe Mutombo added 12 and 17 for the Sixers (25-24), who snapped a two-game skid as they head to the All-Star break. Philadelphia was the top seed in the Eastern Conference last season but is tied for seventh this season.
"It's just a good feeling to go into the All-Star break with a win," Iverson said. "We have to start winning. We got used to winning and dropped two and it's kind of frustrating. But we knew we had a chance to go into the break on a positive note and obviously, that's what we did."
"It helps our confidence and we're looking at the second half as a challenge to turn this thing around and start rolling," Blount said. "Everybody's confident with the way we're playing."
Charlotte's Baron Davis had 23 points, 10 assists and five steals but missed a potential tying 3-pointer with 25 seconds left. The Hornets (23-25) fell to 9-14 at home this season.
"We've got three winnable games coming up (after the break), then we get Mash (Jamal Mashburn) back," Hornets coach Paul Silas said. "I don't look for an instant fix, but we'll keep working hard and we'll get better."
Blount scored eight points in the third quarter, which Iverson closed with a 3-pointer and three-point play to forge a 75-75 tie. Iverson had a breakaway dunk and 3-pointer in a 9-0 burst that opened the final period and gave Philadelphia an 84-75 lead with 9:56 left.
Davis sparked an 8-0 surge that got Charlotte back in it. A bad pass by Iverson led to Bryce Drew's transition layup that gave Charlotte an 89-89 tie with 3:23 remaining.
"We worked on moving the ball against the zone in practice and were able to get some good shots," Blount said. "Coach had us work on that in practice yesterday, about finding our spots. Everybody felt comfortable moving the ball and was able to exploit (the zone)."
Two free throws and a layup by former Sixer George Lynch pulled the Hornets within 96-93 with 1:06 to go. Iverson and Elden Campbell traded misses and Davis had a steal. But his 3-pointer rimmed out and two free throws by Speedy Claxton sealed the win.
Eric Snow had 13 points and seven assists for the Sixers, who shot 46 percent (37-of-81) and held a 47-39 rebounding edge.
"We just had a contribution from everybody," Iverson said. "The whole front line played well tonight, and that's what we need."
Sixers killer Lee Nailon scored 18 points and Campbell added 16 for the Hornets, who shot 44 percent (36-of-81). They went 1-3 against the Sixers this season.
"They got some offensive boards," Silas said. "Against the zone, you have to block out well. That was really our undoing tonight."
Campbell scored 14 points and Drew added 11 of his 13 in the first half as Charlotte opened a 50-47 lead. Iverson scored 16 points.







