Iverson leads Sixers past Hawks

Chris Webber added 29 points and eight rebounds for the Sixers, who have won four straight games. John Salmons added 11 points off the bench and Shavlik Randolph pulled down 12 rebounds as Philadelphia defeated Atlanta for the fourth straight time.

"I think these games are always some of the toughest," said Philadelphia head coach Maurice Cheeks. "When you’re playing teams that have the best records your attention span is usually extremely high. You have to win games like these, despite the way they’re won, you still have to win games like these."

Al Harrington scored 27 points and had eight boards for the Hawks, who saw their two-game winning streak come to an end. Tyronn Lue added 21 points off the bench and Joe Johnson chipped in 17 points with eight assists as Atlanta lost for the eighth time in its last 10 games.

The Hawks outshot the Sixers 49.4 percent to 43.2 percent, including a 53.8 to 37.5 percent edge from three-point range, but could not pull out the victory.

After a three-pointer by Lue tied the contest at 98-98 with 1:30 left in the fourth quarter, Atlanta gave the game away. Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala hit 1-of-2 free throws for a 99-98 edge and Lue missed a layup going the other way. Atlanta’s Josh Childress then had his ensuing layup blocked by Kyle Korver and Webber took control.

Webber was fouled by Josh Smith and Smith was then called for a technical foul after arguing with the officials. Webber hit the technical free throw and then two more free throws for a 102-98 Philadelphia lead with 18 seconds left.

Atlanta head coach Mike Woodson was then called for two technical fouls and was ejected and Webber hit 1-of-2 free throws for a 103-98 lead. The Hawks never recovered.

"The bottom line is I’m going to fight for my team. They’re fighting for me, so I’m going to fight for them," Woodson said. "We played a solid game. At the end we were making plays. (Josh) Childress makes a good offensive rebound and goes right back up and gets fouled and nothing. They (referees) give Iguodala the same call on the other end.

"It’s just not right. I don’t know what Josh Smith did to get his technical. He’s mad because he fouled out of the game. He never said anything to the official."

Atlanta had scored eight straight to go ahead 95-94 with 2:33 left, but Webber responded with four straight to put the 76ers ahead 98-95 before Lue’s three-pointer.

The 76ers had control early but let Atlanta back in the game.

A 15-2 run by the Sixers in the first frame put Philadelphia ahead 27-16 with 1:19 left in the stanza and the 76ers led 31-20 after one. An 8-2 spurt in the second put Philadelphia ahead 39-27 with 7:51 left and the Sixers never trailed in the frame, leading 53-46 at halftime.

Iverson netted 22 points in the first half on 9-of-13 shooting, with Webber chipping in 13.

"When I came here I told Allen if he doesn’t average four to six more points [a game] for the year, than I’m not doing my job," said Webber. "I feel like I’ve had great relationships with my point guards. When I get my shots, I can do it. This is what I expect of myself."

Atlanta took a 62-58 edge after a 7-0 spurt in the third, but Philadelphia battled back to tie it at 68-68 with 3:14 left in the frame. The two teams were tied 78-78 heading into the deciding quarter.

Game Notes

Atlanta is 0-8 when trailing after the first quarter...Smith finished with eight points and 11 rebounds...Korver ended with 10 points, while Iguodala ended with eight points and seven rebounds...This was the first of three meetings between the two teams...Philadelphia has won 16 of the last 23 games against Atlanta and 10 of the last 12 at home.