Iverson takes aim
Allen Iverson looked as if he might be on his way to another career game when he put up 45 points in the first three quarters against his favorite foils, the Milwaukee Bucks.
After a quiet fourth quarter, Iverson settled for 48 points, leading Philadelphia to a 118-111 victory Tuesday night at Milwaukee over the Bucks, who have been burned for three straight games of at least 40 points by the 76ers All-Star.
“Honestly, they play me one-on-one, straight up,” Iverson said of a Bucks’ defense he penetrated at will. “Except in the last quarter. I guess they felt like they had to do something.”
By then it, it was too late.
Iverson reached 40 points against the Bucks for the sixth time in his career, his most against any opponent. He had 40 and 54 points in his previous two games versus Milwaukee.
“(Iverson) has our number,” said Mo Williams who drew the difficult task of trying to stop Iverson. “He seems to play really, really well against us.”
He got off to a fast start in this one, scoring 20 in the first quarter.
“He was just on fire,” Williams said after watching Iverson make 18 of 30 shots, including five 3-pointers. “He was in such a good rhythm that really nobody could stop him tonight.”
Sixers coach Jim O’Brien could only agree after Philadelphia beat the Bucks for the third time this season.
“It was the quickest 40 points I think I have ever witnessed,” O’Brien said. “He was spectacular.”
Kyle Korver had 20 points and Chris Webber added 15 before fouling out with 2:02 left in the game as the Sixers snapped a three-game losing streak and won with Webber for the first time.
Rockets 119, Bulls 89: Tracy McGrady totaled 32 points with seven assists in three quarters and Mike James added 26 points on 11-of-15 shooting to lead visiting Houston past Chicago.
The Rockets won for the first time since the All-Star break, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Grizzlies 99, Warriors 97: At Memphis, Tenn., Mike Miller scored 19 points and had a key steal and two clutch free throws with 10.4 seconds to help Memphis edge Golden State.
Bobcats 94, Kings 87: At Charlotte, N.C., Gerald Wallace had 16 points, seven rebounds and five steals against his former team, leading Charlotte past Sacramento.
Wallace was drafted by Sacramento and spent three seasons there before the Kings left him unprotected in the expansion draft. He shot 7 of 12 from the floor after sitting out Charlotte’s last game with a sprained wrist.
Pistons 103, Trail Blazers 93: At Portland, former Trail Blazer Rasheed Wallace had 12 points and 10 rebounds as Detroit defeated Portland to extend its season-best winning streak to eight games.
Nuggets 97, Hawks 74: At Denver, Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points and triggered a big third-quarter run, pushing Denver past Atlanta for its fourth straight win.
Payton on way out without ever playing for Hawks
Gary Payton wants to finish out the season with a playoff contender. The Atlanta Hawks don’t fall into that category.
The Hawks waived Payton on the deadline for players to clear waivers and be eligible for a playoff roster.
Atlanta acquired Payton last week at the trade deadline in a deal that sent leading scorer and rebounder Antoine Walker to the Boston Celtics.
The Hawks never made a push to bring in Payton, preferring to give more time to their younger players.
The 36-year-old guard reluctantly came to Boston last summer from the Lakers. He was averaging 12.1 points and 6.1 assists this season for the Celtics, who are interested in bringing him back.
Gilbert finally takes over in Cleveland
Detroit mortgage magnate Dan Gilbert assumed majority ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers, taking over a once troubled NBA franchise saved by LeBron James.
Gilbert, who turned a $5,000 investment in the 1980s into an online banking empire, bought the Cavaliers for $375 million from Gordon Gund. The 42-year-old Gilbert heads a principal ownership group that includes Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Usher; business partner David Katzman; and Gund, who will retain at least a 10 percent stake.
Mourning signs deal, returns to Heat
Alonzo Mourning and the Miami Heat finally are together again.
Mourning signed a contract and practiced with the team in Miami, where he spent eight seasons – a stint twice interrupted by kidney disease. He’s expected to make about $325,000 for the rest of the season, based on a prorated share of the $1.1 million minimum veteran contract.
Mourning may be in uniform Thursday when Miami visits New Jersey.
Around the league
Alan Henderson signed with Dallas, rejoining the team less than a week after the Mavericks traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks. … Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin left the game against the Atlanta Hawks after the first quarter because of tendinitis in his left knee. … Utah Jazz forward Matt Harpring is doubtful for today’s home game against Atlanta because of an inflamed right knee.