Kings Rule Over The 76ers

Chris Webber scored 26 points and Predrag Stojakovic had 19 as Sacramento humbled the Sixers 100-79 Friday night in a matchup of two of the league`s top three teams.

But Philadelphia`s biggest concern is the health of coach Larry Brown and star Allen Iverson. Neither will join the team for the beginning of its four-game road trip.

Brown is staying in Philadelphia to undergo medical tests. The Sixers said the 60-year-old coach is suffering from acid reflux and a hiatal hernia, disorders of the stomach and esophagus.

Iverson is staying home to get treatment for a hip pointer. He returned to the lineup Friday night after missing one game with the injury.

Iverson scored 28 points against the Kings on 11-for-28 shooting, but was to miss the team`s flight to Milwaukee to undergo further treatment.

"I could care less about the basketball part of it. I just hope he`s all right," Iverson said about Brown.

Brown would have been able to continue coaching if the Sixers weren`t traveling, according to team physician Dr. Jack McPhilemy.

Iverson could join the team during the trip, McPhilemy said. The Sixers play the Bucks on Saturday, Seattle on Monday, the Clippers on Tuesday and Phoenix next Friday.

Philadelphia had enough trouble against Sacramento with Brown and Iverson.

The Kings jumped out to leads of 7-0, 14-2 and 23-6 en route to an easy victory. Sacramento led by double digits the entire second half.

"It`s never easy when you play a team of this caliber," Webber said. "We feel we`re one of the best teams, too. We wanted to have a good showing."

Doug Christie had 10 of his 14 points in the first quarter and Jason Williams added 11 points for Sacramento, winners of six of seven.

Aaron McKie added 17 for Philadelphia, which had its six-game winning streak snapped. In his worst game since joining the Sixers, Dikembe Mutombo had four points and seven rebounds, snapping a string of seven straight double-doubles.

The Sixers, who have maintained the league`s best record since opening night, fell to 48-17. But they`ve struggled at home against the West`s top teams, losing to Portland, Utah and Sacramento.

Philadelphia has beaten each of those teams on the road, however.

The Kings (44-20) remained one-half game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division.

"This is the best team in the league, so to come in here and play the way we played was good," Kings coach Rick Adelman.

Sacramento took its biggest lead of the first half, 34-14, on an 18-footer by Webber early in the second. But the Sixers, fueled by McKie, went on 10-2 run to cut it to 36-24.

McKie came off the bench to score 10 of 12 points for Philadelphia during one stretch in the second.

The Sixers got as close as 49-42 on a jumper by Iverson, but the Kings scored four straight to take a 53-42 lead at halftime.

"The key for us was our transition defense and patience on offense," Stojakovic said.

After making a steal, Williams drilled a 3-pointer to open the third quarter and hit a running jumper to make it 61-46 minutes later.

Iverson nailed a jumper, Tyrone Hill made a foul shot and McKie drained a running jumper as the Sixers made one final run, closing to 61-51.

But Webber again took over and put the game away. He sank a turnaround hook shot, drilled a 14-footer and made another turnaround to give the Kings a 70-54 lead with 3:16 left in the third.

Game notes
Pepe Sanchez, who rejoined the Sixers on Thursday, did not play. Sanchez was dealt to Atlanta in the trade for Mutombo, but was released by the Hawks this week. ... Philadelphia, which has a league-best 25-7 road record, begins a four-game trip Saturday in Milwaukee. ... Vlade Divac, Bobby Jackson, Scott Pollard and Art Long returned after one-game suspensions for Tuesday night`s fight involving Jackson and Orlando`s Tracy McGrady. ... The Kings have scored 100 points or more in six straight. ... Webber got a technical foul for taunting after a slam in the second quarter. ... Brown received a technical foul for arguing at the end of the first quarter after Iverson missed a shot at the buzzer and appeared to be fouled.

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Author: 6 ABC - Action News (AP)