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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The Seattle SuperSonics have internal
troubles again, just like they had earlier this season when coach
Paul Westphal was fired.
The Sonics lost their third in a row Friday night, dropping a
121-89 decision to Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers. It was Philadelphia's fifth straight victory.
|  | | Allen Iverson, left, collides with Gary Payton during Friday's game. |
"If you're not giving effort and concentration, you're going to
get embarrassed," coach Nate McMillan said. "There's some
negative energy on this team, and until we change things we'll be
faced with this kind of situation a lot."
Sonics guard Brent Barry, who had 13 points, agreed.
"Tonight we didn't even look like we got out of bed," Barry
said. "You can see what's going on out there. There's no sense
naming names. It's evident."
Iverson had 41 points and Toni Kukoc added 19 as the Sixers had
their highest point total of the year.
The Sonics, who have matched their longest skid of the season,
played on Thursday in Minnesota and seemed lethargic.
"That's a tough back-to-back," 76ers coach Larry Brown said.
"It's obvious we had a lot more energy."
Aaron McKie had another solid game as the starting point guard
with 10 points, six assists and five rebounds for the 76ers, who
are on their second-longest winning streak of the season. The team
started 10-0.
Kukoc had one of his stronger games of the season, shooting
8-for-9 from the field.
"I'm trying to find my role," Kukoc said. "I think when I get
involved early it opens the game up for everyone."
The Sonics were paced by Rashard Lewis' 14 points. Gary Payton
had 12 points and nine assists.
Philadelphia broke open a close game with a big run to start the
second quarter.
Leading 32-26 after one quarter, the 76ers scored 13 of the next
15 -- Kukoc scoring eight points during the run -- and opened a
23-point lead by halftime.
In the third, Philadelphia scored 10 straight midway through the
quarter to pull ahead 78-49 with 5:55 left. The highlight of the
run was a fast break in which Iverson made a behind-the-back pass
to George Lynch, who fed McKie under the basket for an easy layup.
The lead reached 34 in the closing minutes of the fourth
quarter.
"When things don't go well on offense, there's no effort on
defense," McMillan added. "It should be the other way around and
it's very disappointing."
Game
notes
The Sixers announced they will retire Charles Barkley's
uniform No. 34 before their game against the Golden State Warriors
on March 30. Barkley, who played for Philadelphia from 1984-92,
becomes the seventh player in franchise history to have his number
retired. Barkley has said that he would go into the Hall of Fame as
a Sixer. ... The 76ers ran a 30-second video wishing the Eagles
luck in their NFL playoff game against the New York Giants on
Sunday. Then Brown ended his press conference with "Go Eagles!"
... Seattle's Patrick Ewing scored 10 points to move within five of
the 24,000 mark, which has been reached by only 12 other players.
... Philadelphia is 11-0 this season when scoring 100 or more
points and 16-0 when shooting 45 percent or better.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Seattle Clubhouse
Philadelphia Clubhouse
With interim title gone, Sonics may want McMillan for long term
Barkley to have his jersey retired by 76ers
76ers put Geiger on injured list, activate Sanchez
RECAPS
Philadelphia 121
Seattle 89
Dallas 115
Toronto 105
Golden State 100
Boston 88
Denver 100
Utah 87
Phoenix 108
Vancouver 76
Portland 119
Milwaukee 115
Charlotte 86
LA Clippers 73
Indiana 93
Sacramento 91
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Larry Brown Official Site
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