76ers rout Bucks
to clinch playoff spot

After finishing 33-49 and out of the playoffs for the first time since the 1997-98 season, the Sixers hired coach Jim O’Brien, got outstanding seasons from their young nucleus of Korver, Samuel Dalembert and Iguodola and traded for Webber in February.

They also got a healthy, happy Iverson. While Steve Nash and Shaquille O’Neal will probably garner most of the MVP votes, Iverson has certainly made a case with one of the best seasons of his nine-year career.

“These are the results,” Iverson said. “It all paid off.”

Iverson made sure the wait for a postseason bid wouldn’t last to Wednesday’s finale against Atlanta, scoring 26 points in the first half, punctuating it with an 18-footer right before the buzzer.

The Sixers led 70-50 at halftime, the most points scored in a half by the Sixers this year. They shot 58 percent in the half — with Iverson going 9-for-17 — and made six of 13 3-pointers.

Iverson averaged 45.3 points in four games against the Bucks.

“We had no answer for Allen,” Mason said. “He played well and hurt us again. When he’s going well, they’re a tough team.”

Iverson came in averaging a league-best 30.8 points and will join Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan and George Gervin as the only players with four scoring titles.

“He’s getting points, he’s getting double-figure assists, he’s getting everything,” Korver said. “A lot of credit has to go to him.”

Korver snapped a tie game with a 3-pointer, Webber converted a three-point play and Korver hit another 3 to lead a 9-2 run in the first quarter and give the Sixers a lead for good.

Notes: The Bucks played without guard Michael Redd (left Achilles’ tendinitis). They placed F Joe Smith on the injured list because of a cut on his pinky and activated C Daniel Santiago. Smith averaged 11 points and 7.3 rebounds in 74 games. ... Iguodala, the only Sixer to start every game, thanked the fans for their support before the game. ... O’Brien is the first Sixers coach to have a winning record in his first season since Jim Lynam in 1988-89. ... Iverson surpassed Charles Barkley for second place on Philly’s season points list.