Wizards Get Boo's And Lose

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 31, 1999 / 3:50 AM EST / CBS Sportsline

Playing at home for the first time since April, the Washington Wizards needed only 24 minutes to produce the first chorus of jeers from the fans at the MCI Center.

Allen Iverson scored 24 points and the Philadelphia 76ers never trailed Saturday night in a 100-88 preseason victory over the Wizards, whose lockout-delayed return thrilled and frustrated the home fans, all of whom received their tickets for free.

"We're just glad they're back," Wizards coach Bernie Bickerstaff said. "It's been a long time since we've heard the roar of the crowd, pro or con."

The Wizards erased a 17-point deficit to draw even early in the fourth quarter, but Philadelphia responded with a 9-0 run to pull away.

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Matt Geiger had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the 76ers, who scored the game's first eight points and expanded the margin to 16 midway through the second quarter. It was a sharp contrast to the exhibition game between the teams one night earlier in Philadelphia, when the 76ers struggled in a 74-61 loss.

"We changed places tonight," Bickerstaff said.

"We just played a different game -- harder and better," said Iverson, who went 13-for-15 at the line. "We executed well on offense and played better team defense. It felt good to come in here and get our confidence up."

Mitch Richmond scored 18 for the Wizards, who shot 31 percent in the first half and left the court to a chorus of boos after falling behind 52-40.

"I think it was a combination of us being down by 12 and frustration over the lockout," Wizards guard Tim Legler said. "But they got behind us when we made our run."

Before that, however, the fans were quick to vent their anger over the Wizards' poor performance. After Washington made only three baskets in the opening 10 minutes of the second quarter, many in the crowd began chanting "We Want Rod!"

The call was for point guard Rod Strikland, who is embroiled in contract negotiations with the season looming just one week away.

Iverson scored 14 points in the first quarter to stake the 76ers to a 29-19 lead. It was 35-25 before Philadelphia rookie Larry Hughes scored four points in a 10-3 run that made it 45-28.

Richmond had 12 points in the third quarter to bring Washington to 74-68, and a 6-0 run at the outset of the fourth period tied it for the first time.

The Wizards were without injured forwards Calbert Cheaney (strained groin), Tracy Murray (sprained ankle) and Evric Gray (concussion) and center Lorenzo Williams (sore feet). Also, center Ben Wallace left in the first quarter with a sprained ankle and is expected to be sidelined one to two weeks, team officials said.