PHILADELPHIA, 28 November 2003 — Allen Iverson notched 30 points on 12-of-23 shooting as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated former coach Larry Brown’s Detroit Pistons 90-86 in NBA play on Wednesday.

Kenny Thomas added 15 points and pulled down 13 rebounds for the 76ers.

Brown was Sixers coach from 1997-2003, taking Philadelphia to the NBA finals in 2001, when Iverson earned MVP honors.

While Iverson and other former players embraced Brown, fans were less welcoming from the outset, labeling him a traitor for plying his trade elsewhere.

It was his first visit to his former home since he signed a five-year deal with Detroit after last season.

Richard Hamilton was top scorer for the Pistons with 19 points, with Mehmet Okur adding 17.

Hornets 82 Cavaliers 72

In New Orleans, Baron Davis notched 26 points and David Wesley added 21 as the Hornets dumped the Cleveland Cavaliers 82-72, handing them their 30th straight road loss. The game was Paul Silas’ first against the team he coached for five seasons before being fired in May.

Rookie sensation LeBron James had 15 points to keep Cleveland close.

Ricky Davis accompanied the Cavs, but did not see any action.

Celtics 94 Magic 92

In Orlando, Paul Pierce poured in 30 points, 15 in the final period, to pace the Boston Celtics to a 94-92 win over the reeling Magic, who dropped their 14th straight game.

Vin Baker added 19 points as the Celtics snapped a four-game losing skid.

Orlando was led by the ailing Tracy McGrady, who notched 24 points despite suffering from the flu.

Raptors 99 Hawks 97 (OT)

In Atlanta, Vince Carter hit a jumper with a second on the clock, giving him a season-high 43 points, as the Toronto Raptors edged the Hawks 99-97 in overtime. It was just the Raptors’ second road win of the season.

Knicks 97 Timberwolves 92

In Minneapolis, the New York Knicks won every quarter but the third in upsetting the Minnesota Timberwolves 97-92. Dikembe Mutombo topped the Knicks with 18 points while grabbing 17 rebounds.

Spurs 109 Bulls 98

In San Antonio, the Spurs handed the reeling and still coach-less Chicago Bulls their seventh straight loss, winning 109-98.

Argentine-born Emanuel Ginobili poured in 17 points and added 11 rebounds and eight assists to pace San Antonio. Eddy Curry and Lonny Baxter had 19 points apiece for the Bulls.

Jazz 83 Rockets 76

In Salt Lake City, Andrei Kirilenko notched 19 of his game-high 23 points after the break as the Utah Jazz defeated the Houston Rockets 83-76 to improve to 7-1 at home.

Yao Ming led Houston with 20 points and 10 rebounds, with Cuttino Mobley adding 14 points and Steve Francis 13.

Suns 121 Mavericks 90

In Phoenix, Joe Johnson poured in 21 points and Penny Hardaway added 20 more as the Suns had their best offensive effort of the season in a 121-90 rout of the Dallas Mavericks.

Lakers 120 Wizards 99

In Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant counted 22 points as the L.A. Lakers drubbed the Washington Wizards 120-99. The Lakers soared to a 61-36 half-time lead, extending their regular-season home winning streak to 23 games.