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Iverson returns to Philadelphia as Pistons visit 76ers

Apr 3, 2009 - 7:03 PM By Dan Pieringer Stats Writer

Detroit (36-39) at Philadelphia (39-35), 3:00 p.m. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Allen Iverson made it clear after the Detroit Pistons' last game that he isn't comfortable with his new role as a reserve. Coming off the bench and playing limited minutes could be especially difficult for the 10-time All-Star to handle in his next game.

Iverson and the struggling Pistons continue their battle for playoff position Saturday when they meet the 76ers in Philadelphia, where Iverson spent the first decade of his NBA career.

Iverson missed 16 games with a back injury and came off the bench in his return Sunday, when the Pistons (36-39) pulled out a 101-97 home win over the Sixers (39-35). He played 21 minutes in that game and has remained in a reserve role, getting 18 minutes in a loss at Cleveland on Tuesday and just over 17 in a 111-98 loss at New Jersey on Wednesday night.

"I'm in a position now that I've never been in my whole life," said Iverson, averaging 7.7 points and shooting 36.0 percent (9-for-25) since his return. "It's harder than I thought it would be."

Iverson, acquired from Denver for Chauncey Billups in an early season trade, said he would not accept being a reserve next season.

"I'd rather retire before I do this again," he said. "I can't be effective playing this way. I'm not used to it. It's tough for me both mentally and physically. If I'm able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can't right now. It's my fault.

"I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I'm not 100 percent."

Iverson's frustration could reach new levels in the city where he was the face of the Sixers franchise for more than 10 seasons. Philadelphia selected him with the first overall pick in the 1996 draft, and the 6-foot guard out of Georgetown led the team to six playoff berths, including a trip to the finals in 2001. He was the NBA MVP that season, one of four with the 76ers in which he was the league scoring champion.

Iverson has totaled only 25 points in the Pistons' two games versus the Sixers this season, but both were in Detroit - each team won once. He's played in Philadelphia as a visitor once, scoring 32 points with eight assists in a loss March 19, 2008, while he was with Denver.

The Pistons could use a similar performance from Iverson as they try to avoid falling further in the playoff race. They've dropped eight of 11 to drop into seventh place in the Eastern Conference, a half-game ahead of Chicago.

"We have seven games left and hopefully, we can do it," second-year guard Rodney Stuckey said after the loss to the Nets. "I really don't know how to explain this. We just have to find ourselves. Either we want to go to the playoffs or we want to go home."

The Sixers are close to clinching a spot in the postseason, but they're still battling for position in the race. They helped themselves by outscoring Milwaukee 25-16 in the fourth quarter of a 105-95 victory Thursday night.

"Fourth quarters have been big and that's really important," coach Tony DiLeo said. "Down the stretch, we played with a sense of urgency."

The only time in the last five games when Philadelphia didn't outscore the opposition in the fourth quarter came in the loss to Detroit. The 76ers, though, have won six of seven at home.