Allen Iverson 15pts vs Pacers 04/05 NBA *Buzzer Beater to win the game *Kyle Korver 7 3pt

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• published: 03 Jun 2008
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Through All-Star games, an MVP award and a trip to the NBA Finals, there was something missing in Allen Iverson's career. A perfect ending. Iverson sank the first buzzer-beating shot of his nine-year career, a 14-footer in overtime, and scored 15 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 106-104 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Friday night. "It's a great feeling to hit a shot with no time on the clock," said Iverson, who sank a halfcourt winner for the U.S. Olympic team against Germany in an exhibition game. Iverson is getting used to dramatic shots. He sent a game into overtime in the final seconds earlier this week, then didn't lose confidence against the Pacers even as he struggled with his shot. He played 44 minutes, but went just 5-for-23 from the floor. "I just couldn't get in no type of rhythm," Iverson said. "I couldn't get warm. I couldn't feel my hands the whole game." He was hot when it mattered, though, as Iverson took the ball the length of the court and beat the short-handed Pacers with a shot from just above the free throw line over Eddie Gill. "His shots didn't fall until the last one, and who cares about the others?" coach Jim O'Brien said. Kyle Korver made seven 3-pointers and scored a career-high 23 points, Marc Jackson had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and John Salmons and Corliss Williamson each scored 15 points for the Sixers. Korver capped Philadelphia's furious fourth-quarter comeback with a 3 from the top of the key with 3.6 seconds left, tying it 100-all. "I knew we needed a 3, so I just backed up and took it," Korver said. The win spoiled the return of Indiana's Ron Artest, benched for two games for asking for time off because of his busy schedule -- including producing an R&B; album and working on his side career as a rapper. Coach Rick Carlisle said Artest "compromised the integrity of the team." Artest scored 29 points and had a flagrant foul late in the fourth quarter, Jermaine O'Neal had a career-high 39 points, and Stephen Jackson 17 for Indiana. Artest and O'Neal combined for a 24-for-38 effort. "If you try to do the right things, good things happen to you," Artest said. "I think everything happens for a reason. Nobody got hurt. There's a bunch of good people on this team." Artest's return helped offset the absences of center Scot Pollard (sore back), forward Jonathan Bender (viral infection), guard Fred Jones (quad strain) and center John Edwards (personal reasons). With Reggie Miller (hand), Anthony Johnson (hand) and Jeff Foster (hip) also out, the Pacers only had eight players available. In overtime, they were down to five. The Pacers lost O'Neal, who gave the Pacers a 102-100 lead on the first play of OT, when he fouled out after reaching in on Iverson on the next possession. Jamaal Tinsley (10 assists) and David Harrison also fouled out in overtime. Four Pacers starters played at least 40 minutes through regulation while Iverson was the only Sixer to do so. Korver hit three contested 3s and scored 11 points in the fourth to rally Philadelphia from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter. Seldom-used James Jones took the last shot for Indiana in OT, but Artest said he should have had the ball. "We have confidence in all our teammates," Artest said. "If JJ was open, he would have knocked that shot down. I should have took that last shot." While Artest was gone, the Pacers suffered a 102-68 loss Wednesday to the Clippers, the worst home loss in franchise history. But with O'Neal and Artest getting along on the court -- after getting into a locker room shouting match last week -- the Pacers hardly needed anyone else. Artest instantly put the distractions of the past week behind him, tuning out the taunts of the fans to score 16 points in the first half. Korver had the oddest play of the game in the first quarter when he attempted to pass the ball -- it looked like an alley-oop -- to Kenny Thomas, but the pass went in for a 3-pointer. Game notes Sixers G Aaron McKie was placed on the injured list with a strained left rotator cuff. He is expected to miss seven to 10 days. The 76ers also activated guards Kevin Ollie and John Salmons and placed guard Kendrick Brown (low back strain) on injured reserve. F Glenn Robinson remained on the injured list and is in Chicago tending to a family matter. C Samuel Dalembert (hamstring) missed his fourth straight game ... Harrison's dad, Dennis, was a defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles. ... The Sixers won consecutive overtime games for the first time since 1993.