The 76ers fans are finally about to get a look at Allen Iverson in another uniform Wednesday night. Iverson and the Nuggets come to the Wachovia Center for the first time since Iverson's trade to Denver on Dec. 19, 2006.
Iverson has declined to discuss his thoughts on returning to Philly to Denver writers and a Philadelphia TV reporter. He and the Sixers fans had a mutual admiration society during his 10 1/2 years here, during which time Iverson led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals and earned league MVP honors. The fans loved him for his fearlessness and toughness, and Iverson loved them because they supported him. One Philly radio station has a giant card downtown that enables fans to show their appreciation for Iverson.
"It's going to be crazy," said forward Reggie Evans. "It's going to be real, real fun. It'll be one of our first home games that's like a playoff atmosphere. I'm pretty sure he's going to try to do what he did to us in Denver (38 points in a 109-96 Nuggets win)."
"AI's done tremendous things for this organization," said guard Willie Green. "I'm pretty sure the fans are going to give him a warm welcome. I think he's the best little guy I've ever seen play the game of basketball."
The game is important because the Nuggets, who are ninth in the Western Conference, need wins just get into the playoffs. The Sixers, seventh in the East, are trying to move up to avoid Detroit or Boston in the first round.
SIXERS 103, SPURS 96: Philly made it 15 wins in its last 19.
The Sixers (33-34) led by as many as 13 in the first half Saturday and didn't let the Spurs nearer than five in the fourth quarter. The Sixers made 24-of-28 free throws and committed just five turnovers, including a season-low one in the first half..
Andre Miller led the Sixers with a season-high 32 points despite a low back strain. He made 11-of-14 shots from the floor, went 10-for-11 from the line and had seven assists with no turnovers on 43 minutes. He played 23 of a possible 24 minutes in the second half.
Andre Iguodala had 25 points, Lou Williams added 12 and Samuel Dalembert chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds. Dalembert did a good job on Tim Duncan (5-for-14, 16 points), guarding Duncan 1-on-1 for most of the night. Dalembert blocked two of Duncan's shots in a span of 59 seconds late in the game; Duncan was 1-for-4 in the fourth quarter.
"Sam guarding Tim Duncan was excellent," said coach Maurice Cheeks. "That gave us the luxury that we didn't have to come off their 3-point shooters."
The Sixers host Allen Iverson and the Nuggets Wednesday.
