Once again, the Portland Trail Blazers have the best record in the NBA.
The Blazers reclaimed that title Sunday by shutting down Allen Iverson in a 91-75 victory over Philadelphia. Portland's decisive victory came just a few hours after Utah blew a 16-point, fourth-quarter lead and lost 104-101 to Detroit in overtime."It feels good, but we're only halfway through," Blazers forward Brian Grant said. "We have 25 more, and we have to keep our composure. But we're playing well together. That's the key."
Rasheed Wallace scored 14 of his season-high 26 points in the fourth, with many baskets coming in transition because of the strong defensive play of Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon.
Iverson, coming off performances of 39 and 41 points in wins over Indiana and the Lakers, scored 24, but had just 11 after the first quarter. In the final three periods, he made only three of 13 shots.
"We just kept pressuring them and pushing them and hoping they would crack," said Anthony, who scored 11 of his 13 points in the final period and twice stripped Iverson of the ball. "We upped the ante and started getting after (Iverson), getting in his face. And it changed what they were doing."
Portland improved to 11-1 at home, tied with the Jazz for the best home mark in the league.
LAKERS 115, MAGIC 104: At Orlando, Kobe Bryant stole the show from Dennis Rodman, who returned from his curious four-game absence.
Bryant scored 33 of his career-high 38 points in the second half, shooting 13-of-16.
Shaquille O'Neal had 31 points and 13 rebounds and Derek Harper made five 3-pointers as the Lakers overcame a 24-point deficit.
CLIPPERS 110, TIMBERWOLVES 85: At Minneapolis, the Clippers won on the road for the first time this season, getting a season-high 22 points from Darrick Martin and 47 points from their reserves.
NUGGETS 102, SUPERSONICS 98: At Denver, Antonio McDyess had 23 points and 15 rebounds as the Nuggets blew a 29-point lead before holding on.
RAPTORS 85, KNICKS 81 (OT): At Toronto, Vince Carter had 23 points and grabbed a key offensive rebound in overtime -- just as Toronto had done all day -- as the Raptors won a franchise record fifth straight game.
HORNETS 94, BUCKS 87: At Milwaukee, Eddie Jones scored 23 points and David Wesley added 16 for Charlotte, which took command with a 10-0 run to open the fourth quarter and pull away.
CAVALIERS 88, NETS 85: At Cleveland, Wesley Person scored 22 points and Shawn Kemp made a key steal in the final seconds.
BULLS 95, CELTICS 92 (OT): At Boston, Mark Bryant scored a season-high 18 points, including consecutive jumpers in overtime, and Brent Barry scored Chicago's final six points as the Bulls sent the struggling Celtics to their 10th loss in 12 games.