Iverson goes over 40 for 40th time in career
( 2002-03-04 16:33 ) (7 )

Philadelphia 76ers Allen Iverson (L) passes the ball over the Toronto Raptors Vince Carter during first half NBA action in Toronto, March 3, 2002. Iverson scored 42 points to lead the 76ers to a 96-84 win against the Raptors. [Reuters]

Allen Iverson made it an even 40 with 40.

Allen Iverson soars past Toronto's Alvin Williams for two of his 42 points for Philadelphia.

Iverson topped the 40-point mark for the second straight game and 40th time in his career, and the Philadelphia 76ers dealt the Toronto Raptors their 11th straight loss, 96-84 Sunday.

Iverson scored 42 points, 24 in the second half, on 16-for-37 shooting for the Sixers, who won their third consecutive game. He had 43 in Friday's victory over the New Jersey Nets.

Iverson has scored at least 40 points seven times this season.

"It's something I've done before, it ain't a big thing," Iverson said. "I'd rather give all those personal goals away to win a championship."

Vince Carter, playing his fourth game since coming off the injured list, had just 12 points for the Raptors, who are on their longest losing slide in four years. Toronto is closing in on the franchise record of 13 straight defeats, set from March 20 to April 12, 1998.

"I couldn't do anything on the offensive end, whether it was an open shot or a free throw," Carter said. "It's hard to cope with when the team is in this situation."

The Raptors, booed throughout the game, have lost eight straight at home to fall to three game below .500 overall (29-32).

Carter, guarded by Eric Snow, went 3-for-10 from the field.

"Vince was struggling, but it is not just Vince. Snow had a lot to do with it," Iverson said.

Derrick Coleman had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Snow added 11 points and seven assists for the Sixers, who shot 51 percent from the field.

Snow said the time is right for the Sixers (30-28) to move up in the standings.

"We have a great opportunity to open things up and gain some ground," Snow said. "These Eastern Conference teams are all beatable."

Antonio Davis had 26 points for the Raptors, who made just 41 percent of their field-goal attempts.

"This is bad. Don't get me wrong, this is very bad," Davis said. "Is it rock bottom? No. There's still games."

The Sixers led by 11 at halftime and went on a 8-0 run early in the third quarter. Iverson scored six points in the burst, including a 19-foot jumper which gave Philadelphia an 18-point lead-- its biggest edge of the game.

Toronto followed with an 8-0 spurt to draw within 10.

Carter was on the bench when Iverson's layup gave Philadelphia a 13-point lead early in the fourth quarter. Toronto followed with a 6-0 run, but Iverson, with Carter still on the bench, made another layup to make it a 10-point lead with 7:00 left.

Iverson later stole the ball from Carter and dunked, then intercepted a pass from Carter and made a layup, giving Philadelphia a 89-75 lead with 3:49 remaining.

Carter followed with a jumper, but Iverson answered with a jumper, giving the Sixers a 15-point lead with 3:24 left.

Iverson had 18 points, while Carter had only six as Philadelphia moved out to a 51-40 halftime advantage. Carter had one point in the first quarter, and Toronto shot 27 percent as the Sixers went up by nine.