Sixers Fall to Knicks

Author: 
Deutsche Presse-Agentur
Publication Date: 
Sat, 2005-02-26 03:00

LOS ANGELES, 26 February 2005 — The Philadelphia 76ers started the day full of optimism after acquiring Sacramento’s star forward Chris Webber in a blockbuster trade until Tim Thomas and Kurt Thomas put a damper it.

Tim Thomas scored a season-high 27 points on 10-of-14 shooting, while center Kurt Thomas made 10-of-11 shots en route to 21 points along with 12 rebounds, rallying the New York Knicks to a 113-101 victory over the short-handed 76ers on Thursday night.

“If we play (power forward and center), it’s going to be hell on people because we’re such good shooters, said Tim Thomas after the duo shot lights out, especially in the fourth quarter by combining for 26 points. “It’s going to force guys that aren’t used to coming out of the paint to have to come out and try and contain us.”

Stephon Marbury had 17 points and 12 assists, and Jamal Crawford added 16 points and nine assists for New York, which also was short-handed after trading Nazr Mohammed, Moochie Norris, Vin Baker and Jamison Brewer earlier in the day in two separate deals.

Allen Iverson had 29 points and eight assists, Marc Jackson netted 18, while Samuel Dalembert finished with 14 points and 15 points for Philadelphia, which dressed eight players after sending Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, and Brian Skinner to Sacramento as part of the six-man trade for Webber. The five-time All-Star forward didn’t travel with the team but is expected to make his debut at home today, ironically against the Kings.

Earlier in the day, Sixers acquired Rodney Rogers and Jamal Mashburn from New Orleans for Glenn Robinson. Rogers was available and scored six points in 20 minutes.

The Knicks trailed by 10 in the third quarter but outscored the visitors 33-22 in the fourth quarter behind Tim Thomas’ 14 points while Kurt Thomas added 12, knocking down all six field goals.

New York built an 89-79 lead on a basket by Kurt Thomas 2 1 2 minutes into the fourth quarter before the Sixers pulled within 91-86. But Thomas answered with two more jumpers, Tim Thomas hit a basket, and Marbury sank two free throws, opening up a 99-89 bulge.

Tim Thomas then took over in the final four minutes with a dozen points, including three triples as the Knicks pulled away for just their sixth win in the last 26 games.

Elsewhere:

Mavericks 122 Kings 113: The Sacramento Kings didn’t seem to be missing Chris Webber until German juggernaut Dirk Nowitzki caught fire. Nowitzki scored 17 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead basket with 4:39 remaining, along with 11 rebounds, rallying the Mavericks past the Kings for their sixth straight victory.

Marquis Daniels had season-highs of 29 points, eight assists and nine rebounds, while Michael Finley added 22 points, including two key 3-pointers down the stretch, as Dallas outscored Sacramento 40-25 in the final quarter to overcome a 10-point deficit with nine minutes remaining.

Mike Bibby and Cuttino Mobley scored 26 points for Sacramento, which has dropped seven of its last nine games. Darius Songaila had a career-best 23 points and a season-high 12 rebounds, while Brad Miller contributed 16 points and 15 boards

Both teams played short-handed because of deals to beat the NBAs mid-day trading deadline. The Kings dressed the league minimum eight because of the swap with Philadelphia. Additionally, Peja Stojakovic remained sidelined with a strained hamstring.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, were undermanned after sending center Calvin Booth and Alan Henderson to Milwaukee for forward Keith Van Horn.

Clippers 92 Timberwolves 86: Elton Brand scored 24 points, and Corey Maggette added six of his 19 on free throws in the final 36 seconds, to help the struggling Clippers snap an eight-game losing streak.

Foul-plagued Kevin Garnett had just 14 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota, (27-28), which had won the previous nine meetings between the two clubs.

Main category: 
Old Categories: