Allen Iverson

When a team's best player is sidelined, wins usually are hard to come by. Except, of course, if that team is playing the Chicago Bulls. Then all bets are off. The 76ers learned as much without Allen Iverson last night in the Windy City. Facing a team that gives new meaning to ineptitude, the Sixers took advantage the way a contender is supposed to. Center Dikembe Mutombo led the way, dominating in the first quarter en route to 15 points, 12 rebounds and 4 blocked shots. Tyrone Hill added 16 points and Aaron McKie 14, helping the Sixers blow out the Bulls, 85-67, at the United Center in front of a sellout crowd of 22,835.

It took Allen Iverson nine seasons, more than 12,360 shots and nearly 14,600 points before finally achieving the ultimate feeling (NBA regular-season division) - a game-winning field goal. Iverson overcame a miserable shooting night with one simple flick of the wrist, draining a jumper from the free-throw line as the buzzer sounded to give the 76ers a 106-104 overtime victory over the shorthanded Indiana Pacers last night before an approving crowd of 15,729 at the Wachovia Center.

The 76ers are running out of explanations and time in their quest to extend this frustrating year past the April 19 season finale at Charlotte. After each loss, the Sixers talk about playing better defense, having a greater sense of urgency, being able to put teams away late in games. You name it, and it has been talked to death. There is one thing that isn't getting much mention that must occur if the Sixers are to avoid a May trip to Secaucus, N.J., and the NBA draft lottery.

Jerry Stackhouse fueled another episode in the Sixers' soap opera season yesterday by saying he was frustrated by mounting losses, exhausted by another arduous, deplorable season, and annoyed at having to watch his backcourt mate hog the ball. Then Stackhouse went out and poured in 20 of his game-high 34 points in the first quarter, and the Sixers ended their eight-game losing streak with a 113-105 win over the Nets at the Continental Airlines Arena last night. The win was the Sixers' first since April 1, and also ended a five-game string in which rookie sensation Allen Iverson had scored 40 points or more.

On this night, after yet another loss, the coach said to put it on him - the lousy fourth-quarter defense, the loss of poise, the visible fear in the faces of his players once their opponents made a run. On this same night, the star said to put it on him - the inability to keep a lead, the confused defense that tried simultaneously to triple-team the middle while covering outside shooters, and the spiraling effect of loss after loss. Whatever. Everyone on the 76ers has had his cross to bear during this previously inconceivable stretch of 14 defeats in 18 games.

The only time he had seen this magnificent coastal city in his first two days here was on the bus going from the 76ers' hotel to practice. So, figuring he could emerge in public without being recognized, Allen Iverson decided to leave his room Sunday afternoon and walk up to the main street, Avenida Diagonal, to try to find a place to eat. He didn't get very far, but he was cool with the attention. "When stuff like that happens, you feel good about yourself," Iverson said yesterday after the first of two Sixers practices at Palau Sant Jordi Annex.

The last time Allen Iverson played at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, he angrily traded slurs with hecklers in the stands. That incident, on Jan. 28, got more attention than his 27-point effort and the 76ers' 86-81 victory over the Indiana Pacers. Iverson was fined by the NBA for his retaliatory behavior. But the fans' behavior was not addressed in a statement by the league office. As far as several players were concerned, virtually nothing was done. The Sixers hope nothing will need to be done as Game 3 of their best-of-five Eastern Conference quarterfinal series against the Pacers approaches.

Allen Iverson had just provided another in a string of virtuoso performances Wednesday night when he was asked by a reporter for his thoughts about not having scored 50 points but still having won the game. Standing in the visitors' locker room at Conseco Fieldhouse, home arena of the Indiana Pacers, Iverson was caught off-guard for the first time that evening. He had just scored 40 points and sparked the Sixers to a come-from-behind 102-90 victory. But the furthest thing from his mind was failing to reach the 50-point mark for the third consecutive game.

The regular season had to end sometime. It was too bad for the 76ers that it had to end in this manner. It was a manner in which sickness was more prevalent than health. Excuses replaced success. And with one key grab of the ball, the hapless Chicago Bulls might have won last night's game. But the Bulls were not able to hold onto a rebound off a missed free throw by Sixers forward George Lynch. Nor were they able to overcome a 25-point fourth-quarter deficit. Chicago wasted a 34-12 explosion in the game's last 11 minutes and fell to the Sixers, 93-89, at the United Center.

Another year. Same old problems. Nearly one year after Allen Iverson stunned Philadelphia by hinting of a premature departure, vowing that he will "remember everything come contract time" because of his rocky relationship with coach Larry Brown, the duo are at it again. Last night, while the 76ers were en route to losing yet another game, falling, 85-80, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in front of 18,126 at the First Union Center, Brown and his star guard exchanged heated words.