Lakers, Iverson put on big shows to open playoffs

On a weekend when Allen Iverson scored 55 points to top a list of outstanding individual performances, the team to beat the Los Angeles Lakers took a big step in the NBA playoffs.

Iverson was a one-man gang in lifting Philadelphia past New Orleans 98-90 Sunday night. Only Michael Jordan, Elgin Baylor, Wilt Chamberlain and Charles Barkley have scored more in a playoff game.

``The only player I've ever seen play like that was Michael Jordan,'' 76ers teammate Derrick Coleman said.

The Lakers didn't need such a huge output from one of their stars to successfully begin their quest for a fourth consecutive title. For the first time since beginning their championship run, the Lakers opened on the road and beat Minnesota 117-98.

Kobe Bryant (39 points) and Shaquille O'Neal (32 points, 10 rebounds) did have big outings of their own.

``I don't know what the big deal is about playing on the road,'' Bryant said. ``I've never seen fans scream loud enough to block my jump shot.''

In Sunday's other game, Orlando, the eighth seed in the East, got 43 points from league scoring leader Tracy McGrady to upend Detroit 99-94.

``I'm out to prove to a lot of people that although I'm the only All-Star on my team, we're capable of pulling this off,'' McGrady said.

The playoffs began Saturday with the West's eighth seed, Phoenix, also pulling off a stunner, 96-95 in overtime at San Antonio. Stephon Marbury hit a running 3-point bank shot at the buzzer to lift the Suns.

Dirk Nowitzki's career-high 46 points led Dallas past Portland 96-86, and Paul Pierce had 40 points, 21 in a fourth-period comeback, as Boston rallied past Indiana 103-100.

Kenyon Martin's 21 points and 15 rebounds helped New Jersey beat Milwaukee 109-96. Chris Webber had 27 points and 11 rebounds in Sacramento's 96-90 win against Utah.

The playoffs resume Monday night with Phoenix at San Antonio, Boston at Indiana, and Utah at Sacramento.< ^Lakers 117, Timberwolves 98=

At Minneapolis, Bryant scored 28 points in the first half as the Lakers set the early tempo against a team that never has won a playoff series.

The Lakers, who overcame an 11-19 start to finish with 50 wins, were 19-22 on the road during the regular season. But in the postseason, Los Angeles has won 17 of its last 19 away games.

``We're pretty experienced at taking crowds out of games,'' said Bryant.

Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists for Minnesota.< ^76ers 98, Hornets 90=

At Philadelphia, Iverson made 21 of 32 shots. He had 20 points in the fourth quarter and reached 50 points for the third time in 46 career playoff games. It was his ninth game with at least 40.

``When I'm out there on the basketball court in front of 20,000 people, and I'm making shots and they're into it and jumping up and cheering, that's what I get the goose bumps from,'' Iverson said. ``Because I know when these people leave this arena, that might be something they'll cherish for the rest of their life.''< ^Magic 99, Pistons 94=

At Auburn Hills, Mich., McGrady set a team playoff record, going 15-of-28 from the field and 10-of-12 from the free throw line.

``This guy is arguably the best player on the planet,'' Pistons coach Rick Carlisle said.

Detroit allowed opponents just 87.7 points per game this season. No other team was lower than 90.

Orlando rookie Drew Gooden had 18 points and 14 rebounds.

Detroit's Richard Hamilton scored 28 points in his playoff debut.< ^Mavericks 96, Trail Blazers 86=

At Dallas, Nowitzki keyed a 15-1 third-quarter run that began while Rasheed Wallace, who was guarding the German star, was out after turning his ankle.

Nowitzki, who also had 10 rebounds, put Dallas ahead for good with a 3-pointer with 3:01 left in the third quarter while he was falling down.

``To see him just keep making buckets like that was a beautiful thing,'' Dallas point guard Steve Nash said. ``He just refused to let us lose.''

Wallace led the Blazers with 26 points.< ^Celtics 103, Pacers 100=

At Indianapolis, Pierce hit a key 3-pointer with 11 seconds left and went 21-for-21 from the foul line for Boston.

Pierce had missed 15 of his 19 shots from the floor in the first three quarters.

``We are what we are offensively, and we go to Paul in the fourth quarter,'' coach Jim O'Brien said. ``We go to him under all circumstances. We've seen Paul go 1-for-15 and then score 46 points in the second half.''< ^Suns 96, Spurs 95, OT=

At San Antonio, Tim Duncan missed three free throws in the final 16 seconds. After Duncan's final miss with 5.1 seconds left, Marbury sped up the floor and launched his winning shot for the Suns' fourth victory in five games against San Antonio this season.

``I heard a quote from Tim Duncan where he said, 'We allowed them guys to stay around,''' Marbury said. ``By allowing us to stay around, it allowed us to win the game. That's all we want on the road.''

Amare Stoudemire added 24 points and banked in a 3-pointer late in regulation to force overtime.< ^Kings 96, Jazz 90=

At Sacramento, Calif., the Jazz slowed the pace, but the Kings had Webber, Peja Stojakovic (16 points) and super sub Jim Jackson (15 points). The teams are meeting in the first round for the third time in five seasons.

Karl Malone had 27 points, eight assists and seven rebounds for Utah.< ^Nets 109, Bucks 96=

At East Rutherford, N.J., Jason Kidd schooled Oakland playground mentor Gary Payton with 14 points, 14 assists and six rebounds. He held Payton scoreless for more than 3{ quarters.

Martin took an awkward fall under the basket early in the third quarter, but returned quickly and led seven Nets in double figures.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)