76ers beat Lakers, 112-97 •Allen Iverson scores 40 points to lead Philadelphia; Coach Brown has 999 career wins

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Allen Iverson got a standing ovation for what he did in the All-Star game, then added another accolade — an “M-V-P” chant from the Philadelphia fans — to his wonderful week.

Iverson scored 40 points and made Kobe Bryant look silly on defense Wednesday night as the Philadelphia 76ers had their way with the Los Angeles Lakers in a 112-97 victory.

Iverson, who reached 40 points for the second consecutive night and the 11th time this season, basked in the adoration of his fans and relished every chance he had to go one-on-one with Bryant.

He even let a huge smile break across his face as he was speeding in for a breakaway layup early in the fourth quarter as the Sixers were opening a 17-point lead.

Iverson got his first standing ovation when highlights of his All-Star MVP performance were shown on the scoreboard during the game’s first timeout, and the fans broke into a loud chant of “M-V-P” as he reached 40 points from the free throw line with 1:28 left. He left to another standing ovation moments later.

Nazr Mohammed added a career-high 12 points starting at center, Tyrone Hill also had 12 and George Lynch 11.

Shaquille O’Neal, who was guarded by backups Mohammed, Todd MacCulloch and Jumaine Jones in the absence of regular Philadelphia center Theo Ratliff (fractured wrist), led Los Angeles with 29 points.

Bryant added 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists — along with another stern lecture from his coach when things weren’t going well.

Iverson started going at Bryant right away, and it quickly became apparent that Bryant — coming off an overtime victory the previous night at New Jersey — was a step slow.

Unlike last season when Bryant came into the First Union Center and shut down Iverson, Bryant seemed to fall for every ball fake or head fake.

Iverson had a 3-pointer over Bryant that was followed by a drive around Bryant as he was putting 15 points on the board in a first quarter which ended with Philadelphia ahead 29-25.

Isaiah Rider hit a 3-pointer early in the second quarter for a 32-31 Lakers’ lead, but the Sixers responded with a 6-0 run, ending with a 3-pointer by Toni Kukoc off a behind-the-back pass from Iverson.

Mohammed, who made his second start of the season, hit a jumper over O’Neal with 6:02 left in the third to surpass his previous career-high of 11 and give the 76ers a 69-63 lead, and coach Phil Jackson started yelling at Bryant during the ensuing timeout.

A 3-pointer by Snow and a dunk by MacCulloch gave the Sixers an 82-70 lead at the end of the third, and they left the court to another standing ovation. Iverson’s smiling fast-break 90 seconds into the fourth quarter capped a 7-0 run that made it 89-72, and Philadelphia led by double digits the rest of the way.

Notes: Philadelphia forward Matt Geiger was suspended for two games by the NBA for violating the league’s steroid policy. He issued a statement saying he took the substance last summer when he was being treated with an over-the-counter medication. … Lakers guard Ron Harper sat out with a sore knee. … As part of the Sixers’ annual Valentine’s Day promotion, a couple was married at halftime. … Both of Mohammed’s starts this season have come against the Lakers. … Lakers broadcaster Chick Hearn worked his 3,268th consecutive game. … Larry Brown earned his 999th career coaching victory. (Associated Press)