PHILADELPHIA — The A.I. Show took center stage again in Philly.
And the early returns have Philadelphia 76ers fans in love with the revival as much as the original.
All Allen Iverson needs to do now is help the Sixers win. Iverson scored 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting and had six assists in Philadelphia’s 10th straight loss, 93-83 to Denver on Monday night.
“I had chill-bumps running all through my body the whole game,” Iverson said. “It just felt good to be back.”
Iverson took a familiar route to the Wachovia Center for his first game since returning to the Sixers last week. He pulled in to the player’s parking lot at 5:55 p.m., waving to fans who waited in the cold for a glimpse of one of the most polarizing athletes in Philadelphia’s deep sports history.
He hit the court for warmups to the sound of fans screaming his name and holding “Welcome Home” signs. He took passes from his former 76ers backcourt teammate Aaron McKie, now an assistant coach.
He sank shot after shot to the delight of the crowd and broke out in a wide smile as they erupted in cheers.
“That was the best part of the night, just hearing these people’s voices all over again,” Iverson said.
Iverson was edited out of highlights and banished from the team in the week leading up to his acrimonious 2006 trade to Denver. But he got his own greatest hits montage on Monday and a sellout crowd of 20,664 stood and roared in approval.
There was an NBA finals electricity in the arena for a team that hasn’t won a playoff series since 2003 and was 29th in attendance. The Sixers averaged a measly 11,965 fans in their first eight home games.
But Iverson received a standing ovation when he left in the fourth quarter.
He was introduced fourth, bowed and kissed the logo at midcourt, then joined his teammates for a little dance. Iverson gave a friendly point to former coach George Karl and hugged ex-teammate Carmelo Anthony.
He missed his first shot, a makable layup early in the first quarter.
“I did the best I could,” Iverson said. “My heart said yes, but my body said no. My legs were weak, my arms were weak.”
Iverson has time to work his way back into shape. Coach Eddie Jordan said Iverson may start the rest of the season for the struggling Sixers.
“I feel like I am home,” Iverson said. “Just seeing people I’m accustomed to seeing, seeing the reporters, seeing some of the fans when I go out to eat. Just the smell of Philadelphia when I go outside.”
Iverson’s not sure how many minutes he can play because of his limited basketball activity over the past year. His stint in Detroit was cut short because of a back injury, and he played only three games for Memphis this season.
Iverson played 37 minutes but has some concerns about playing in game condition.
“If I can’t get my scoring on like I want to, I just want to do other things on the basketball court that will help us win,” Iverson said.
Jazz 104, Spurs 101
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s Deron Williams recovered after missing his first six shots and scored 17 points, including a go-ahead jumper with 22 seconds remaining. Williams added 11 assists and Carlos Boozer had 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the Jazz, who guaranteed their first series win over the Spurs in 12 years with their third win over San Antonio this season.
Knicks 93, Trail Blazers 84
NEW YORK — Larry Hughes scored 21 points, David Lee had 17 points and 10 rebounds, and New York won its season-high third straight. Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler each added 14 points as the Knicks won for the fourth time in five games. Brandon Roy scored 27 points, and LaMarcus Aldridge had 19 points and 13 rebounds for the injury-depleted Trail Blazers, who lost center Greg Oden to season-ending surgery Sunday.
Thunder 104, Warriors 88
OKLAHOMA CITY — Kevin Durant scored 28 points, rookie James Harden added a career-high 26 and Oklahoma City capitalized on the ejection of Golden State’s Corey Maggette. The Thunder led by one when Maggette drew two technical fouls for arguing with official Derek Richardson late in the third quarter.
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