TORONTO, 20 March 2005 — Allen Iverson overcame a thumb injury to score 31 points and lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 93-81 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Iverson chipped a bone in his left thumb during Tuesday’s win over the Los Angeles Lakers and had not practiced since.

He started the game playing with a protective bandage on the thumb, but tore it off after missing his first four shots. He played 44 minutes, adding nine rebounds and five assists. Kyle Korver contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Sixers, who slipped into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference overall standings.

LeBron James scored 16 points for Cleveland on just 3-of-20 shooting after averaging 35 points in his previous three games. Zyrdunas Ilgauskas added 15 points and 15 rebounds.

In East Rutherford, Vince Carter scored 23 points to lead the New Jersey Nets to a 94-80 win over the Utah Jazz, who suffered their eighth successive loss.

Jason Kidd added 10 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for the Nets, while Andrei Kirilenko led Utah with 15 points.

In Atlanta, Stephon Marbury scored 24 points and Tim Thomas added 23 to lead the New York Knicks to a 106-92 victory over the Hawks, who have now lost 15 of their last 16 games.

Boris Diaw led the Hawks with 17 points.

In Indianapolis, Reggie Miller scored a season-high 39 points, his highest total in more than four years, to lead the Indiana Pacers past the Los Angeles Lakers 103-97.

Stephen Jackson scored 19 points, while Anthony Johnson added 13 points and 11 assists for the Pacers.Chucky Atkins led the Lakers with 23 points. Kobe Bryant scored just 12 on 5-of-14 shooting.

In Memphis, Jason Williams scored 17 points in the Grizzlies’ 88-83 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Lorenzen Wright and Bonzi Wells scored 16 points each for Memphis, while Kevin Garnett had 30 points and 19 rebounds for Minnesota.

In Auburn Hills, Michigan, Chauncey Billups scored 23 points as the Detroit Pistons beat the Toronto Raptors 103-92.

Tayshaun Prince added 21 points for the Pistons, who won their 11th successive home game. Donyell Marshall led Toronto with 25 points and 12 rebounds. Toronto forward Chris Bosh, who suffered a back injury on Wednesday against Boston, did not play.

In Houston, Mark Blount’s 22 points led the Boston Celtics to their sixth successive win, a 103-92 victory over the Rockets.

Antoine Walker added 18 points for Boston. Tracy McGrady led the Rockets with 22 points.

In Milwaukee, Michael Redd scored 26 points while Joe Smith added 24 to help the Bucks to a 99-90 win over the Washington Wizards, who were led by Gilbert Arenas’ 27 points and 10 rebounds.

In San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 24 points, while Tim Duncan added 19, in the Spurs 93-76 rout of the Charlotte Bobcats.

In Chicago, Jamaal Magloire and Dan Dickau scored 17 points each as the New Orleans Hornets eased to a 94-90 victory over the Bulls, who were led by Kirk Hinrich’s 27 points.

In Phoenix, Baron Davis scored 33 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 110-100 win over the Suns. Derek Fisher and Jason Richardson both added 19 points for the Warriors.

In Denver, Marcus Camby had 20 points and 17 rebounds in the Nuggets’ 115-96 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, who were led by Corey Maggette’s 26 points.

In Seattle, Ray Allen scored 38 points as the SuperSonics beat the Orlando Magic 98-90.