Playoffs 2000:Kukoc sparks Sixers with all-around game

Kukoc sparks Sixers with all-around game
Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA -- Toni Kukoc has been in pressure situations before. He wants the ball, especially when the Philadelphia 76ers are struggling on offense.

"I think I understand the playoff game and I know what needs to be done in order to win the games," Kukoc said after the Sixers beat the Charlotte Hornets 81-76 Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five, first-round series.

Kukoc, who was part of three championship teams with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s, scored 12 points, including a pair of key 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as the Sixers overcame the absence of Eric Snow, out with an injured ankle.

Kukoc, who has come off the bench since arriving in Philadelphia in a three-way deal on Feb. 16, played 26 minutes and shot just 4-of-12. But he sparked the Sixers by hitting big shots during a crucial stretch. Kukoc gave the Sixers a 69-64 lead with 3:30 left to play by nailing consecutive 3-pointers sandwiched around a 5-0 run by Charlotte.

"You have to push some issues even if it's not there," Kukoc said. "Take your shots, be aggressive, and try to execute the things when it's tough. I believe in my shots."

Kukoc, not known for his defense, had his best game of the series on the defensive end as he combined with George Lynch to hold Anthony Mason without a field goal.

"There are nights when everything you do, your shots still don't fall in," Kukoc said. "That's when you have to do it on the defensive end."

Kukoc's effort left Mason blaming himself for the loss.

"I've got to be more productive," he said. "Offensively I've got to get it done. Nobody can check me on that team. I'll at least get to the line or something. We can say if this, if that. But if I had been more productive the game would have been over."

In addition to Kukoc and Lynch, the Sixers got key contributions from their role players. Aaron McKie started in place of Snow and shut down Eddie Jones while reserve Kevin Ollie scored eight points in 15 minutes.

Philadelphia can close out Charlotte in Game 4 Monday night.

"They played great defense," said Jones, who scored 18 points, but was 1-of-8 in the second half. "They just did everything they were supposed to."

Snow, the team's best defensive player and floor leader, wants to play Monday, but his status may not be known until game time.

Charlotte coach Paul Silas said the Hornets must be more aggressive in the post to avoid elimination.

"We had more opportunities that we did not take and we took too many outside shots," Silas said. "We have to get a lot tougher."

Allen Iverson scored 24 points on just 9-of-27 shooting and Philadelphia shot 35 percent. But the Sixers survived a poor shooting night with their defense.

Kukoc, Lynch and McKie were joined by Theo Ratliff, who established himself as an inside force by blocking six shots and altering many others.

"Defense is what this team is all about," Sixers coach Larry Brown said.

Now the Sixers can avoid going back to Charlotte with a victory Monday.

"We want to get rid of these guys because we know how tough they are" Iverson said. "We don't want to go back to their house. We don't want to go to anybody's house."