Slam Dunk Central

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Wednesday night’s game pitting the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers was emotional for everyone involved - especially for former Sixer and current Nugget Allen Iverson. And as was expected, it was an Iverson love fest - even A.I. and 76ers coach Maurice Cheeks let bygones be bygones. Celebration aside, the 76ers’ Samuel Dalembert made the decisive basket, allowing Philadelphia to edge Denver 115-113 at a sold-out Wachovia Center.

The game was nip-and-tuck, despite the fact that Philadelphia, for the game, shot 60% from the field; the 76ers went into halftime leading 65-58. After opening the second half with a 10-point run, the Nuggets had trouble hitting shots, going 0-for-15 at one juncture. Iverson would end that drought with a jumper with 7:10 left in the game. The winning shot was courtesy of an unlikely Sixers hero, Dalembert; with 32.9 seconds left, Iguodala lost possession of the ball, but Dalembert was there to pick the ball up and make a layup - sealing the win.

Philadelphia’s high scorer was Andre Miller with 28 points, a rebound, 12 assists and a steal, while Iguodala scored 21 with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals; Dalembert added 17 with 12 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, but 8 turnovers, while Willie Green pitched in with 16, while grabbing a rebound and dishing out 3 assists.

Denver was led by the aforementioned Iverson with 2 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals, while Anthony scored 26 - including 3 treys - with 4 rebounds and 4 assists; Kenyon Martin added 21 with 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Philadelphia (34-34) now will travel to Orlando to take on the Magic Friday night, while Denver (40-28) makes the short trip to New Jersey to face the Nets - also on Friday.