Magic hold off Iverson-less Sixers

Allen Iverson, who was sent home prior to Friday’s defeat to Washington, will be traded from the Sixers, according to president Ed Snider. Iverson’s 31.2 points per game were second-best in the NBA entering Saturday’s play.

Howard finished an impressive 12-of-17 shooting while Grant Hill scored 23 points with six boards for the Magic, who snapped a two-game skid.

Trevor Ariza contributed 13 points off the bench and Jameer Nelson added eight points and dished out seven assists in the victory.

Orlando, which missed all nine of its three-point attempts, shot just 44.6 percent from the field.

Chris Webber scored 19 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and had eight helpers for the Sixers, who have lost seven straight and 11 of 12. Andre Iguodala also had 19 points and Kyle Korver donated 16.

Samuel Dalembert netted 12 points and six boards in defeat.

The Sixers tied the contest twice in the fourth, first at 72 on Steven Hunter’s layup, and then at 76 after Iguodala’s put-in, but were unable to take the lead as Orlando scored the next six points.

Korver made it 85-84 with a layup and free throw with 47 seconds remaining, but Keyon Dooling converted 1-of-2 from the charity stripe for the two-point cushion.

Kevin Ollie attempted to tie the game for the Sixers with under five seconds left, but his jumper was blocked by Nelson as time expired.

Philadelphia finished 52.3 percent shooting.

Orlando went on a 9-0 run and led by as many as 10, 27-17, on Howard’s dunk at the 2:09 mark in the first quarter. Philadelphia, though, cut its deficit to 31-25 after Willie Green drained a three with two seconds left.

Late in the second, Philadelphia scored six straight points to get within one until Hill’s layup gave Orlando a 53-50 lead at the half.

Howard led the Magic with 20 points in the first half while Webber and Iguodala each netted 12 for the Sixers.

With 4 1/2 minutes left in the third, Korver drained a trey as Philadelphia got within one, 65-64. Then, with 1:33 to play, Green capped the frame with a jumper to keep it a one-point game after three.

Game Notes

Iguodala had five rebounds and five assists...Orlando’s Keith Bogans left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right ankle...Orlando hosts Phoenix on Monday while Philadelphia welcomes Portland.