Philadelphia 76ers Team Report - November 22

(Basketball News) - Kenny Thomas collected 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead Philadelphia over Boston, 87-85, on Friday at the Wachovia Center.

Allen Iverson returned to the lineup after missing a game with a right knee injury and tallied 24 points and eight assists for the 76ers, who won their second straight game on the heels of a two-game slide to stay atop the Atlantic Division standings.

Iverson made a layup with 3:31 left to play to put the Sixers ahead 83-75, their biggest lead of the game.

But the Celtics responded with eight unanswered points, capped off by a Paul Pierce triple, to tie the game at 83-83 with 1:28 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Aaron McKie made a jumper to put the Sixers back up by two and they led the rest of the way.

Boston got the ball back and failed to get a shot off before turning the ball over on a shot clock violation.

The Celtics had one more chance to tie and even take the lead, but Walter McCarty’s three-pointer came up short with 5.1 seconds left and Iverson made two free throws to seal the victory as Boston was forced to foul.

The Sixers continued to play without starters Derrick Coleman (strained left knee) and Glenn Robinson (left ankle). Robinson has only played in four of Philadelphia’s first 13 games this season due to injuries and a three-game suspension

The 76ers play tonight in New York against the Knicks.