RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) David Wesley's never been the type of
player a team designs final shots for. The Charlotte Hornets are
changing that.
| | Charlotte's P.J. Brown applies pressure to the Sixers' Allen Iverson. | Wesley hit a 3-pointer with 5.9 seconds to play Saturday night
to lift the Hornets to an 86-85 victory over Philadelphia, snapping
the 76ers' six-game winning streak.
It was the second straight game Wesley made a winning
last-minute 3. He lifted Charlotte to a 93-91 victory over Golden
State on Thursday night with a 3-pointer with 17 seconds left.
"I've never had a history of being the guy who takes the last
shot," Wesley said. "But I've developed it this year and I've
gained a confidence in taking those shots. I expect to make them."
Allen Iverson scored 47 points for Philadelphia, passing the
40-point mark for the 14th time this season and for the sixth time
in his last 11 games.
But he faltered late, especially on the last shot.
The Sixers took a timeout after Wesley's shot to draw up the
last play. The ball went to Iverson, who was double-teamed by Eddie
Robinson and Baron Davis as he tried to drive into the lane.
Davis stripped the ball from him and took off toward the other
end of the court as Iverson looked on helplessly and the game clock
expired.
It was one of the rare times the Hornets stopped Iverson.
"He had an amazing game and we couldn't stop him until the end
-- and that's when it counted," said Davis, who insisted he didn't
foul Iverson.
"I didn't touch him, he'll tell you."
Iverson didn't agree, but still blamed himself.
"I got the ball, I turn around and he just runs through me and
takes the ball -- a play like that I thought I was going to get the
call," Iverson said. "Even with the no call it's my fault because
I'm supposed to make that shot."
Robinson led Charlotte with 15 points. Davis finished with 14
points and 10 assists, Wesley had 13 points and Jamal Mashburn and
Elden Campbell each scored 12.
Iverson was Philadelphia's only player in double figures.
Dikembe Mutombo, acquired Thursday in a trade with the Atlanta
Hawks, had nine points and nine rebounds in 35 minutes.
"You've got to believe that one man can't beat you," coach
Paul Silas said. "But I'll give (Iverson) credit, he keeps coming
at you."
Iverson scored nine straight points in the fourth quarter to put
the Sixers up 77-76 with 5:21 to play. The game stayed close from
there, until Charlotte missed three straight shots and Philadelphia
converted to take an 85-80 lead on Iverson's jumper with 2:03 to
play.
Charlotte then won it with two 3-pointers in the final minute.
Mashburn cut it to 85-83 on a 3 with 43 seconds to go. Iverson
then missed a 20-footer and Mashburn got the rebound with 14
seconds to play.
The Hornets came out of a timeout looking for Wesley. He broke
free on a triple screen off the baseline, cut under the basket and
found an opening in the left corner.
Davis fed him the ball and he drilled the shot for the victory.
"We gave up two 3's the last two plays, we can't do that,"
Philadelphia coach Larry Brown said. "But give them credit, they
knocked down two big shots and ran a terrific play for Wesley."
Game notes Iverson shot a 3-pointer over Robinson the first two times
the Charlotte forward checked in the game to guard him. ... The
Hornets drew their second sellout of the season. The other one came
last week against the Los Angeles Lakers. ... Rodney Buford, waived
by Charlotte the morning training camp opened, played one minute
for the Sixers. ... Philadelphia plays its next four games at home.
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NBA Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Charlotte Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 106 Washington 99
Charlotte 86 Philadelphia 85
Miami 75 New Jersey 70
Chicago 90 Vancouver 75
San Antonio 107 Dallas 104
Denver 85 Atlanta 82
LA Clippers 123 Portland 120
AUDIO/VIDEO
Eddie Robinson follows up his own missed free throw with another miss, but Jamaal Magloire is there for the dunk.
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RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Larry Brown feels that turnovers and Charlotte's clutch shooting cost his team a win.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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