CHICAGO (TICKER) —Allen Iverson helped power the Philadelphia 76ers’ offensive surge, which overwhelmed the Chicago Bulls.
Iverson scored 28 points and matched his season high with nine assists, and Keith Van Horn added 22 points as the 76ers recorded their seventh consecutive road victory over the Bulls, 110-82.
Iverson also grabbed eight boards - one shy of his season high - as the Sixers increased their winning streak to four games.
Van Horn contributed 12 points in the second half as Philadelphia rallied from a six-point deficit and improved to 2-0 on its three-game road trip.
“In the first half, we were letting guys beat us to balls,” Iverson said. “In the second half, we took easy shots and we got their guys to commit turnovers. Then we did a good job of getting something at the other end.”
The Sixers have not lost in Chicago since a 91-81 setback on March 30, 1999.
Kenny Thomas, who finished with 20 points on 9-of-11 shooting and a season-high 14 boards, hit a jumper to spark Philadelphia’s 19-6 run to start the third. Eric Snow converted a three-point play with 5:41 to go in the period, giving the Sixers a 66-59 lead.
“It was definitely different for us in the second half,” said Snow, who registered nine assists. “We cut out their easy baskets and got on the boards. By picking up our defensive pressure, we were able to get out and score.”
Jalen Rose scored 20 points and Tyson Chandler chipped in 16 and 13 rebounds, but the Bulls had their two-game winning streak snapped and suffered their biggest defeat of the season.
“Let’s hope we can take two steps forward, because we took a step back tonight,” Bulls coach Bill Cartwright said. “That third quarter hurt us. Eight turnovers led to 20 fast-break points in their transition. That was pretty much the story of the game.”
Philadelphia outscored Chicago in the third, 36-8, en route to its fifth straight road win.
Iverson made a jumper and converted a pair of free throws with 9:12 to go in the period to knot the contest, 55-55.
It was 59-59 when Thomas slammed home a dunk to spark a 7-0 burst for the Sixers, giving them a 66-59 advantage midway through the quarter.
“We were so small out there (in the second quarter) because Derrick (Coleman) and Keith got in,” Sixers coach Larry Brown said. “We played a great second half. … I thought everyone played great. Kenny Thomas, Eric and Allen all played as well as they can.”
After Rose hit a jumper to pull the Bulls within five, the Sixers closed the third on a 17-0 run.
“The third quarter, we came out flat,” Rose said. “They came out with more energy and more enthusiasm. They just got it done.”
Iverson nailed a jumper and recorded his seventh assist, feeding Van Horn for a basket. The 6-10 forward then set up Monty Williams for a layup, which made it 73-61.
“This is a team (collapse),” Chandler said. “We let guys that shouldn’t kill us kill us. It’s different if Allen Iverson kills you.”
Iverson, who made half of his 24 shots from the floor, made another jumper, Thomas and Williams added three points apiece and then Iverson capped the surge by putting home a layup with 48 seconds remaining, giving Philadelphia a commanding 83-61 lead after three quarters.
