Webber's big game keys Kings' fourth straight win

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Tired and drained by a six-game Eastern road trip, the Sacramento Kings made sure their long ride home would be pleasant.

	Webber

Chris Webber had 21 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the Kings beat the Philadelphia 76ers 97-81 Sunday to finish the trip 5-1.

Peja Stojakovic added 21 points for Sacramento, which has won four straight and 10 of 11.

The Kings, who lost at Detroit in the second game of their trip, are two games behind Dallas for the No. 1 spot in the Western Conference. They will play three of their remaining four games at home, where their 32-6 record is the league's best.

"It was the most consistent effort of the trip,'' said Kings coach Rick Adelman, who recorded his 600th career victory. "We started out tired, but picked it up in the second half. To win five of six and have a chance to win all six is terrific.''

Allen Iverson, playing despite left knee bursitis, had 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Philadelphia. Iverson, coming off an eight-point output in a loss to Houston on Friday, sat out the final 6:01 after the Sixers fell behind by 18.

"It's not 100 percent, but I just felt I could get through this,'' Iverson said, adding that he might have to sit out some games down the stretch. "Hopefully it'll get better before the playoffs.''

The Sixers lost their second straight and fell 2½ games behind first-place New Jersey in the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia was without forward Keith Van Horn (sprained left foot). Aaron McKie (back) and Derrick Coleman (thigh, finger) played through injuries.

"I think they feel in their hearts they are well enough to play,'' Sixers coach Larry Brown said. "I admire them for being out there.''

Brown criticized his players in the locker room after the game, and expressed frustration that all the injuries prevent the team from having a full practice.

"Coach ripped into us and rightfully so because we didn't show up,'' Iverson said.

The Kings used an 11-2 run to pull away in the third quarter.

Consecutive fast-break layups by Stojakovic began a 7-0 spurt, and Webber finished the run with a 19-footer that made it 72-58 after three quarters.

A 13-3 run in the fourth quarter iced it for Sacramento. An 18-footer by Webber, a fast-break layup by Doug Christie and a layup by Jim Jackson put the Kings ahead 85-66 with 5:22 left. The Sixers didn't get closer than 16 the rest of the way.

"I'm just glad we stayed consistent, especially since we were so tired,'' Webber said.

Iverson finished 10-for-22. He went to the foul line just five times, making four free throws, after not getting fouled Friday.

"I think I'm a step slower,'' Iverson said. "I can't bend it the way I want and I'm dragging it.''

Webber, who hit a game-winning 3-pointer to beat Boston on Friday night, made jumpers for six of his eight field goals.

Philadelphia erased an eight-point deficit with a 9-0 run early in the second quarter, ignited by a turnaround jumper from Aaron McKie.

The Kings led 44-39 at halftime after a 3-pointer by Christie and a free throw by Stojakovic.

"It was a great effort,'' Stojakovic said. "The whole trip we played excellent.''

Game notes
Iverson had three steals and has 212 this year, tying Steve Mix's single-season team record set in 1973-74. ... The Kings swept the season series. Sacramento has won five straight over the Sixers, including three in a row in Philadelphia. ... The Sixers are 23-15 at home after winning their first 10 at the First Union Center. They are 22-16 on the road. ... The Kings are 71-51 on the road the last three seasons, one of only four teams to have a winning record away from home over that span. ... Van Horn, the Sixers' second-leading scorer (15.9) and third-leading rebounder (7.1), was injured in the second quarter Friday and is listed as day-to-day.