NBA

Iverson opens with 55

PHILADELPHIA -- Of all the prolific offensive performances in the openers of this year's playoffs, Allen Iverson's was the best.

Iverson scored 55 Sunday night, making 21-of-32 while eclipsing his playoff high of 54 as the 76ers beat the Hornets 98-90 in the opener of the best-of-seven series.

"That was his best ever, by far," Sixers coach Larry Brown said.

Iverson scored 20 in the fourth quarter to help his team hang on throughout the final 12 minutes of a closely contested, physical game.

Iverson joined Michael Jordan, Rick Barry, Charles Barkley, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players to score 55 or more in a playoff game. Jordan holds the league record of 63.

"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."

The fans weren't the only ones cherishing it. Iverson's coach and teammates were in awe, as were the Hornets.

"The only player I've ever seen play like that was Michael Jordan," Derrick Coleman said.

During the first seven games of the postseason, there was a 46-point performance by Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki and a 43-point outing by Orlando's Tracy McGrady.

"He must've been watching TV all day, watching all those young gunners putting up those numbers -- and he had the last game in prime time," the Sixers' Aaron McKie said.

LAKERS 117, WOLVES 98: The Lakers acknowledged being a little bored during the regular season, which likely contributed to their poor record on the road (19-22).

In the playoffs, though, the story remained the same for Kobe Bryant and the three-time defending champs, who have won 17 of their past 19 postseason games away from Staples Center. Bryant scored 39 and Shaquille O'Neal had 32 points and 10 rebounds.

"You can tell by our intensity out there," Robert Horry said, "the playoffs is a totally different game."

Bryant scored 29 in the first half on 12-for-16 shooting. The Lakers led the entire game, shot 55 percent from the floor and went 10-for-19 from 3-point range. Game 2 is Tuesday night in Minneapolis.

Kevin Garnett had 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists -- not enough to help the Timberwolves win with homecourt advantage for the first time in franchise history; they were eliminated in the opening round the past six years.

JORDAN LETTER: Michael Jordan wrote an open letter to basketball, insisting his NBA playing days are "definitely over, but our relationship will never end."

The full-page notice appeared in newspapers across the country, including the Washington Post, New York Times and Los Angeles Times. "Dear Basketball," it began. "It's been 28 years since I saw you in the back of our garage. Twenty-eight years since our parents introduced us."

The 40-year-old star played his final game Wednesday, ending his career with the Wizards after leading the Bulls to six titles.

He recounted his struggle to toughen his body and his days at North Carolina. He went on to thank fans, five coaches by name and 10 NBA teams he played against. "I love you, Basketball," he concluded. "I love everything about you and I always will." The letter was signed: "Much Love and Respect, Michael Jordan."

SPURS: The league suspended reserve center Kevin Willis one game without pay after he elbowed Scott Williams in the throat in Saturday's playoff opener against Phoenix. Willis will miss Game 2 tonight in San Antonio.

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