76ers could have The Answer

The Philly fans and sports nuts across the country will also be interested to see if the possible return of Allen Iverson can help the depleted Sixers in their desperate run for the postseason.

Iverson still has more moves than Jackie Chan, but has been sidelined the last four games because of an ankle sprain. The Sixers lost every contest in their leading scorer’s absence, but surprisingly still remain eighth in the Eastern Conference.

Philadelphia was held to under 100 points in all four losses and not one player scored more than 23 points. Iverson averages over 30 a game.

With 16 games remaining on the regular-season schedule, the 76ers find themselves just 3 1/2 games behind Washington for the fifth seed in the East.

However, with its recent slump, Philadelphia is just 2 1/2 games ahead of Chicago for the final spot in the playoff race.

The Sixers must min Wednesday versus the Atlanta Hawks and keep the ball rolling through the playoffs.

The season series between Philadelphia and Atlanta is tied at one apiece. The Sixers posted a 106-101 win on December 14, then dropped a 111-108 decision to the Hawks on December 23.

Philadelphia has won four of the last five meetings with Atlanta, which has dropped its last four trips to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Sixers posted a win in this season’s series on December 14th, but Atlanta countered with a 111-108 triumph on December 23rd. Wednesday’s game is the third and final meeting of the 2005-06 campaign.