QUARTER-BY-QUARTER ANALYSIS
First quarter: Allen Iverson came out on fire scoring 10 points and handing out two assists as the Sixers ran out to an 18-11 lead just over four minutes into the game. The Bobcats pulled to within four on two occasions, but each time Iverson had an answer. The 76ers extended their advantage to 32-19 on a Josh Davis three-pointer with 1:45 remaining and then, after Charlotte trimmed the margin on a pair of Cory Alexander free throws, pushed the lead back to 13 on an Iverson fadeaway jumper at the buzzer. Iverson finished the period with 17 points and four assists as the Sixers led 36-23.

Second quarter: Alexander, serving as backup to Brevin Knight in place of the sick Jason Hart, opened the quarter with a three-pointer and the Bobcats began to cut into the Philadephia lead. A Primoz Brezec layup with 7:20 remaining pulled Charlotte within eight at 45-37, but then the Bobcats went ice cold. They did not score for the next 5:15 as the Sixers rolled off 17 straight points to take a 62-37 lead. Iverson was again key in the run, scoring eight points, including six from the free throw line. Brezec finally stopped the run with a layup and Alexander added a three-pointer and a layup in the final seconds as the Bobcats cut the deficit to 66-47 at the break. Philadelphia shot .585 from the field in the first half and Iverson totaled 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds.

Third quarter: Charlotte came out of the gate strong in the second half, scoring seven consecutive points capped by a Keith Bogans three-point play to pull within 66-54. The 76ers temporarily slowed the run, but the Bobcats continued to fight back and cut the margin to single-digits for the first time since early in the first quarter, 71-62, on a Brezec jumper with 6:54 to go. The teams traded baskets for the next several minutes before Melvin Ely engineered a 9-3 run to pull Charlotte within five (83-78) with 47 seconds remaining. Kyle Korver then dropped a three-pointer to open the lead back to eight before Brezec hit one of two free throws to cut the 76ers' lead to 86-79 after three.

Fourth quarter: The Bobcats were within five with 8:41 remaining when starting point guard Brevin Knight was ejected for receiving his second technical foul of the game. Philadelphia immediately took advantage of that ejection and another technical on Emeka Okafor moments later to extend its lead back to 10. Despite Iverson continuing to add to his game-high 48 point total, the Bobcats would not go away. Okafor converted back-to-back baskets to pull Charlotte within three (102-99) with 2:40 remaining. After a pair of Andre Iguodala free throws, Brezec hit a jump shot and Alexander made two free throws to pull the Bobcats to within 104-103 with 34 seconds remaining. On Philadelphia's next possession, Iverson missed a jumper and Samuel Dalembert missed a put back giving Charlotte the ball with 11 seconds on the clock. The Bobcats tried to get the ball to Alexander on their final possession, but he was denied the ball by Iverson. Gerald Wallace instead drove the lane and dribbled the ball off his foot for a turnover. Korver added two free throws for the final 106-103 margin. Brezec (23 pts, 10 rebs) and Okafor (14 pts, 10 rebs) both posted double-doubles for Charlotte. Alexander scored a career-high 17 points off the bench.

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GM & HEAD COACH BERNIE BICKERSTAFF SAYS...
(on the last play of the game and the loss) We were going to go two up with Cory (Alexander) and Primoz (Brezec), (like) the previous play we had run. (But) Allen Iverson just single-handedly took over defensively at that last stretch. He denied the ball. Gerald (Wallace) had a lay-up. He just lost the ball out of bounds. He had beaten his man, he was going to the hole, (and) he just lost the ball out of bounds. He had a lay-up. Even on the long pass down, we had the presence of mind to throw it deep, but who got back and knocked it down? Allen Iverson. The guy obviously understands what time it is."

(on the Bobcats' injury situation) We were depleted, but the guys did one heck of a job. At some point the coin has to turn in these situations. But they put themselves in a position to win the basketball game. The thing that hurts is that we didn't get a shot.

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INSIDE THE LOCKER ROOM

GERALD WALLACE
(on the game) The game wasn't going our way, we didn't get some calls, we couldn't make any shots and then we couldn't stop Allen Iverson. He's the league MVP, and we were just having a rough night. We could have easily packed it in and just given up. But I think we just kept fighting and when you keep fighting, good things are bound to happen to you sooner or later. In the second half, we had some good things go our way, got some shots fall, and we were able to fight ourselves back into the game.

PRIMOZ BREZEC
(on the game) Basically we just tried to put different stuff in on defense to slow down (Allen) Iverson. When (someone) has a night like that, you can't do a lot (about it). I think in the second half, we played pretty good defense. We came back from minus 25 (points), had (the ball) on the last possession, and like last night, we couldn't get it done. I don't know how many (close games) we have lost like that. It just hurts.