Sixers try to concentrate on basketball against Celtics

All-Star Allen Iverson, who asked Philadelphia to trade him last week, is still officially a Sixer but is not expected to play for the club while they try to deal him. It has been rumored that the Celtics are one of the teams that would be interested in trading for the Georgetown product.

Iverson, who was the NBA’s MVP in the 2000-01 campaign, is averaging 31.2 points and 7.3 assists per game this season.

The Sixers have lost eight straight games and play the finale of a short two- game homestand. On Monday, Zach Randolph’s driving layup with 2.4 seconds remaining lifted the Portland Trail Blazers over Philadelphia, 81-79, at the Wachovia Center.

Andre Iguodala finished with a game-high 27 points in the loss to Portland for the Sixers, who have dropped 15 of their last 17 games overall. Kyle Korver was the only other Philadelphia player in double-figures with 10 points in defeat.

Philadelphia is 3-5 at home this season. After tonight’s game, the Sixers hit the road to play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at American Airlines Center and the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at the AT&T Center.

Boston tries to wrap up a three-game homestand with a perfect record. Paul Pierce finished with 31 points and seven rebounds as the Celtics held on to defeat the New York Knicks, 97-90, on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Al Jefferson ended with 14 points and 12 boards in the win over the Knicks for Boston, which won its second straight game despite nearly blowing a 30- point third-quarter advantage.

The Celtics are 4-5 on the road this season. Boston returns home on Friday to host Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets at TD Banknorth Garden.

Boston has won two of its last three at Philadelphia. The Sixers have won four of the last five games in this series.

This is the first of four meetings between the 76ers and Celtics this season.