Iverson leads Sixers past Wizards

Chris Webber added 30 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists while Andre Iguodala netted 19 points for the Sixers, who improved to 5-1 since the All- Star break.

Gilbert Arenas had a team-high 33 points and donated eight assists for Washington, which has dropped three in a row. Antawn Jamison tallied 24 points and 15 rebounds, and Caron Butler also posted a double-double with 18 points and 12 boards.

Philadelphia, which led most of the way and held a two-point edge entering the final stanza, fell behind 96-95 early in the fourth following an Arenas jump shot.

Webber’s slam gave the Sixers back the lead seconds later, however, and they did not relinquish it again. But there were a bunch of close calls.

After Philly built its advantage to 112-106 late in the contest, Washington went on a 7-2 run, capped by an Arenas three-pointer, to pull within one with 1:30 left.

Webber, though, hit a pair of free throws with 55 seconds on the clock to make it a three-point game.

The Wizards failed to score on their next possession but Arenas stole the ball from Iverson on the other end and fed it to Jamison, who narrowly missed a three-point attempt that would have tied it.

Webber sealed the game from there, as he elevated for a jam, was fouled, and converted the ensuing free throw to make it 119-113 with just 14 ticks left.

Philadelphia opened the game on a 12-4 run and finished the quarter up 29-23. Iverson paced his team with 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting in the opening 12 minutes.

Washington rattled off the first six points of the second frame, polished off by Arenas’ layup, to knot the game at 29-29.

The Sixers resumed the role of front-runner shortly after, though, and took a 57-54 advantage into intermission. That lead was trimmed to 88-86 after three quarters of play.

Game Notes

Butler injured his right knee with 32 seconds left in the game and did not return...Kevin Ollie had eight points on 4-of-4 shooting for Philly before fouling out...Iverson scored 40-plus points for the 12th time this season. The Sixers are 8-4 in those games.