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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The acquisition of Toni Kukoc continues to
pay big dividends for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Kukoc recorded the second triple-double of his seven-year NBA
career Sunday, helping the 76ers beat Indiana 111-101 Sunday.
"He does so much on the floor that it helps Allen Iverson,"
coach Larry Brown said of Kukoc, who had all 19 of his points in
the first half when Philadelphia opened a commanding double-digit
lead.
|  | | Allen Iverson led the 76ers with 33 points, hitting 14 of 25 shots from the field. |
Iverson scored 33 points as the 76ers extended their season-best
winning streak to six, and ended a 12-game losing streak in
Indiana.
Iverson was 14-for-25 from the field, and topped 30 points for
the 28th time this season.
"We haven't played any better than that for three quarters all
year," Brown said.
"Since he's gotten here our shooting percentage has gone way
up, our assists have gone way up. ... Any time Toni is on the
floor, the defense has to be conscious of him. He's made our big
guys cut and post more."
Tyrone Hill added 19 points to help Philadelphia win in
Indianapolis for the first time since Nov. 24, 1993. The 12-game
streak included two playoff losses last year when Indiana swept
Philadelphia in the second round.
The 76ers shot 55 percent in the first half, and opened their
biggest lead of the half at 51-31 with 7:11 left in the second
quarter. The Pacers never got closer than 15 in the quarter,
trailed 62-45 at halftime, and fell behind by 26 in the third.
"The tables were turned," Iverson said. "The last time we
played (here) they jumped right on us, got a lead and we couldn't
recover. Same thing for us this time. I was just trying to get to
the basket, get some easy shots. If they doubled, or tried to
collapse I'm looking for an open teammate."
The 76ers shot 54 percent through three quarters (37-of-69) and
took an 89-64 lead into the final period. Indiana connected on only
36 percent (24-of-66) through three periods.
"We have a lot of guys playing good," Brown said. "Allen is
playing great, but we don't need him to play great every night.
Eric Snow has been so consistent. Tyrone is playing well. Theo
(Ratliff) has improved."
Kukoc has had three double-doubles and a triple-double since
joining the 76ers on Feb. 18. Philadelphia, battling Toronto for
the fourth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, is 14-5 since he
was acquired from Chicago.
"In the second half I didn't attack the basket as much, but I
still did my job," Kukoc said. "As much as I can do on the court,
helps."
Jalen Rose led Indiana with 19 points and reserve Travis Best
had 17. Austin Croshere scored 16 and Reggie Miller had 12 on
4-of-12 shooting from the field.
The teams traded the lead seven times and the score was tied
once in the opening quarter, which ended with Philadelphia leading
36-23. The 76ers shot 54 percent in the period (15-of-28) with
Kukoc contributing 10 points.
Philadelphia used a 12-2 run as the Pacers went scoreless for
nearly four minutes to take the lead for good. Kukoc, Hill and
Ratliff each had four points in the run.
Indiana shot 36 percent in the opening period (8-of-22) and
missed 10 straight shots from the field at one point, going 4½ minutes without a field goal during the run.
It was the second consecutive game Indiana fell behind by
double-digits in the first quarter and didn't recover.
"We looked tired," Indiana coach Larry Bird said. "We looked
old. We didn't look like we had any life. We are not a good
rebounding team. You let a team outrebound you 20-6 (first
quarter), you are going to be in a deficit. The effort isn't
there."
Game notes
Indiana's sellout streak at Conseco Fieldhouse is 36 games.
... Indiana's Dale Davis missed his fifth game in the last six with
a strained left hamstring. ... Rose extended his streak of
consecutive double-figure games to 37. ... Iverson has led
Philadelphia in scoring 52 times this season. The 76ers are 20-8
when he scores 30 or more. ... After winning a franchise-record 25
straight at home, Indiana has lost three of its last six at Conseco
Fieldhouse.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Indiana Clubhouse
RECAPS
Orlando 94
Miami 69
Philadelphia 111
Indiana 101
Denver 112
New Jersey 110
Houston 123
Chicago 78
Milwaukee 99
Boston 84
Minnesota 106
Toronto 101
LA Lakers 90
Sacramento 89
Phoenix 90
Golden State 82
New York 93
Portland 89
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