Sixers Hang On, Top Heat
After a week of coming off the bench, Matt Geiger reminded the Philadelphia 76ers why they signed him to that big free-agent contract.
Geiger broke a scoring drought of nearly five minutes with two free throws and a dunk in the final 1:28, helping the 76ers hold off a furious Miami Heat rally down the stretch for an 88-84 victory Thursday night.
Geiger scored 17 of his season-high 25 points in the second half, providing an effective counterpunch when the Heat clamped down on NBA scoring leader Allen Iverson.
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Geiger also pulled down 10 rebounds as the 76ers ended a three-game losing streak and a nine-game skid against the Heat. The last time Philadelphia beat Miami was a 91-89 victory Nov. 16, 1996.
It was the 7-footer's best outing in the four games since coach Larry Brown took him out of the starting lineup. Tyrone Hill supplanted Geiger in the starting lineup shortly after coming over from Milwaukee at the trading deadline.
"Matt played a great game," Iverson said. "The effort's always there. Sometimes I guess he tries too hard, but tonight he just relaxed and had a great game. He's the reason for any success we had tonight."
Iverson, who averages 28.4 points, added 24, but just six in the second half as the Heat adjusted to contain his ability to drive.
For the Heat, it almost worked. Miami scored 12 straight points midway through the fourth quarter, pulling to 80-79 on Brown's 17-foot jumper with 2:09 left. Philadelphia went nine consecutive possessions without scoring.
Geiger finally took things into his hands when he drew a foul on Terry Porter on a putback attempt with 1:28 left. He hit both free throws, ending a drought of 4:59.
Alonzo Mourning responded with two free throws with 1:13 remaining, but Geiger brke free underneath for a powerful slam at the 1:05 mark that gave the 76ers an 84-81 advantage.
Tim Hardaway and Jamal Mashburn missed jumpers on Miami's next two possessions, and Philadelphia's George Lynch and Eric Snow each hit two free throws in the final 12 seconds to seal the outcome.
"We really needed to get this victory," Geiger said. "We really played our style and attacked the basket. That's the way we need to be."
Mourning scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Heat, who have lost five of their past six outings and fell 1 1/2 games behind Orlando for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
"I expect a lot more out of our guys, from energy to effort to an intensity standpoint," Heat coach Pat Riley said. "At least on the defensive standpoint, we just simply didn't get it."
Tim Hardaway added 19 points for Miami, but shot just 5-of-19 from the field. Jamal Mashburn, activated from the injured list before the game, had 18 points and six rebounds.
Mashburn had missed the previous 26 games with a severely bruised knee suffered in the second game of the season.
Philadelphia ran out to an 11-point lead late in the first half, but Miami used a 14-0 run midway through the third quarter to take a 58-53 lead on Mourning's jumper with 4:58 left.
The 76ers responded with a 14-2 run to move back in front, pushing the advantage to 80-67 on Iverson's fast-break layup with 6:27 left in the game. But that was their last points until Geiger's heroics at the end. Mourning and Mashburn had four points each as Miami tried to rally.
Notes: To make room for Mashburn, the Heat placed forward Terry Mills back on the injured list with a strength deficit in his left leg, a lingering effect from offseason surgery. ... Voshon Lenard also may be close to return to the Miami lineup. Lenard, out all season with a stress fracture, has been practicing since Monday and thinks he'll be ready in a couple of weeks. ... Philadelphia coach Larry Brown became the sixth coach to win 900 games in the pro ranks. He is 671-545 as an NBA coach after compiling a record of 229-107 in the old ABA.
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