Sonics don’t have an answer for Iverson

SEATTLE – The Seattle Sonics found The Answer a few hours after the trade deadline passed.

Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t for any of the questions they were asking.

The Sonics didn’t make a deal on Thursday, but Allen “The Answer” Iverson threaded the Sonics questionable defense in the Philadelphia 76ers’ 112-101 win in front of a sellout KeyArena crowd of 17,072.

Iverson scored 40 points to go along with 11 assists and five steals to begin Seattle’s post All-Star break portion of the season on a downer.

Despite making 26 consecutive free throws in the second half, Seattle lost for the 13th time in 19 games to further dim its postseason aspirations.

Iverson also took advantage of whistle-happy referees by making 17 of 21 free throws in a game where the two teams combined for 73 attempts.

“You couldn’t compete because every small little thing you did, the refs blew a whistle,” said Sonics guard Ray Allen. “It gave him an advantage every time. Whether he was shooting a jump shot or going to the hole, it was almost like he was protected and we couldn’t do anything about it.”

Allen answered The Answer with 31 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough for Philly to out-slump Seattle. The 76ers (23-32) won for only the fifth time in its last 17 games to drop the Sonics to 25-28 with 29 games remaining.

Point guard Antonio Daniels was also whistle-weary after the game.

“You can’t say what you want to say for fear of being fined,” said Daniels, one of several Sonics to take a crack at defending Iverson. “I’ll keep my mouth closed on the whole matter.”

Seattle coach Nate McMillan, who was called for a technical foul after arguing a no-call on an Allen 3-point attempt, said the Sonics let Philly and the officials dictate the game’s tempo.

“We allowed (Iverson) to get into the paint and allow the officials to judge what is happening in the paint,” said McMillan, whose team committed 17 turnovers. “And they sent him to the free throw line 21 times. Part of the game plan it to keep him contained and out of the paint. We didn’t do that.”

Iverson had no problem with the game’s officiating.

“I was getting fouled and fortunately I was getting the calls,” Iverson said. “Guys were banging me going to the basket. I made a conscious effort at the beginning of the game to try to get to the hole.”

76ers forward Glenn Robinson torched the Sonics for 26 points despite playing only 25 minutes because of foul trouble. His counterpart at small forward, Seattle’s Rashard Lewis, scored only 13 points in 22 minutes because of fouls.

Iverson made an impact early, swiping the ball away from the Sonics and making a pair of free throws. His three-point gave Philly a 9-3 lead with 2:04 into the game.

When Lewis picked up his second foul 1:10 into the game, Radmanovic relieved him and hit his first of three first-quarter 3-point shots 15 seconds later. Radmanovic’s third 3 cut the 76ers’ lead to 19-17. Radmanovic, who scored 11 points in 30 minutes, missed his final six shots.

Alley-oop passes from Iverson to Samuel Dalembert and Robinson put Philadelphia ahead 29-21. Murray scored Seattle’s final four points of the quarter, after which the Sixers led 32-25.

The Sonics played the final 1:53 of the quarter with center Jerome James and guards Ray Allen, Flip Murray, Luke Ridnour and Richie Frahm.

Lewis finally got back on the floor to begin the second quarter and immediately hit a 3 to begin an 11-3 Seattle outburst. Allen and Murray each scored twice to give Seattle its first lead, 36-35, with 9:16 remaining in the half.

Iverson scored eight points during an 11-0 run that put the 76ers on top 51-41 with 3:26 to go before halftime.

Iverson made 11 of 13 free throws and contributed 20 points in the half toward a Philly 59-49 advantage. Robinson also scored 20.

Allen scored 14 points in the half, but committed five of Seattle’s 13 first-half turnovers. Lewis played only eight minutes in the half, sitting the final 5:13 after picking up this third foul. He committed his fourth and fifth fouls in a 16-second span during the third quarter.

Philly took a 61-49 lead to begin the third, but the Sonics responded with a 12-2 run to cut their deficit to two points with 7:32 remaining in the third.

Iverson started his third alley-oop of the game, hit a three and a layup in traffic to push the 76ers’ lead to 77-67 with 2:59 to go in the third.