Posted on by Dal
Allen Iverson had another amazing performance, with 40 points, 9 assists, but it was their lack of defense that lost the game, Boston 110, Philadelphia 103.
"In the past we have had trouble scoring and we were a good defensive team," Iverson said. "This year is totally the opposite and we can't stop anybody."
Chris Webber had 28 points for Philadelphia, loser of four straight on the road and five of seven overall.
Boston 110, Philadelphia 103
Preview - Box Score - Recap
November 30, 2005
BOSTON (AP) -- Kendrick Perkins was a surprise weapon for the Boston Celtics.
Paul Pierce scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Perkins added career highs with 12 points, 19 rebounds and four assists to lift the Celtics to a 110-103 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
"I've been playing uptight and the coaches have told me to relax," Perkins said. "I knew things were going my way when I hit a jump hook in the first half. I haven't done that since high school."
Allen Iverson had 40 points for Philadelphia, but was hounded by Celtics guard Delonte West in the fourth quarter and only had two baskets in the period.
"In the past we have had trouble scoring and we were a good defensive team," Iverson said. "This year is totally the opposite and we can't stop anybody."
Perkins was making only his third start of the season and combined with Mark Blount to total 20 points and 26 rebounds out of the center position for the Celtics.
"He attacked every rebound and made everyone want to crash the boards," Celtics guard Ricky Davis said. "That is the best I have seen him rebound since I've come here."
With the game tied at 87 and 6:25 remaining, the Celtics went on a 9-1 run capped off by Raef LaFrentz's 3-pointer to give them their biggest lead of the game at 96-88.
Davis added 26 for Boston, which won for the third time in its last eight games.
Chris Webber had 28 points for Philadelphia, loser of four straight on the road and five of seven overall.
"It's disappointing. (Perkins) had a career night against us," Webber said. We didn't take him for granted, but we didn't do our job on him."
After Philadelphia outrebounded Portland in its last game 60-30, Boston dominated this matchup with a 59-40 edge.
With the Celtics ahead 62-59, Iverson scored nine straight points for Philadelphia to tie the game at 68 with 5:31 remaining in the third.
Iverson led all scorers with 20 in the first half, including 15 in the second quarter, as the 76ers trailed 51-50 at the break.
Perkins had 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half, recording his first career double-double with just under 3 minutes to go in the second quarter. He received an ovation when he fouled out with 2:47 remaining in the game.
Notes
Philadelphia completed its fifth set of back-to-back games in November. ... Former Celtics legend John Havlicek was in attendance. ... Celtics assistant coach Dave Wohl was a third round draft pick of the 76ers in 1971. ... Iverson is averaging 41 points over his last four games.
