Wally Szczerbiak punched in 31 points for the Timberwolves last night, but the 76ers were able to break that code, battling to a 96-91 victory and again climbing over .500 (23-22).

The Sixers, with four victories in their last five games and eight in their last 10, also seemed to take another step toward relocating the code that helped drive them to 56 victories and the NBA Finals last season.

"We've got to see that fight guys had in their eyes last year,'' Allen Iverson said after generating 38 points of his own, the eighth time in 10 games he has reached 33 or more. "Last year, we could be 10 points down with 2 or 3 minutes left and we always felt we were going to win the game.

"We've got to get that same mentality back. We've got [opponents] we went through wars with last year that some of the [new] guys on the team know nothing about, don't know the severity of it. Once they get to know how real it is when certain teams try to play us, we'll be able to win those games.

Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News reports that Larry Brown made a comment on Tuesday. It wasn't a big announcement, but it was something the Sixers wanted to hear.

In a pre-game interview with a New York radio station, Brown said "If I'm back anywhere next season, it will be with the 76ers."

For whatever reason, the Sixers coach didn't say that during the grueling seven-game Western swing when rumors had him being a candidate to coach the Denver Nuggets or even resigning before the conclusion of the trip.

"Really, that's what I've said all along," Brown said last night, before the Sixers turned back the Minnesota Timberwolves, 96-91. "The guy asked me a question, I said I intended to coach only here.

"I might not coach any more, either. That's a possibility, too. But I want to coach as long as I'm physically able, and if that's what I do I want to do it here."

To the uninitiated, all the silk-purse talk after the sow's ear of another Timberwolves defeat -- a 96-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday at First Union Center -- might have sounded suspiciously, even gallingly, like the stuff of moral victories.

Those things were supposed to have been abandoned by this franchise around the time Hootie and his blowfish were big.

Yet as a snapshot of where the Wolves were late Wednesday, compared with their predicament 24 hours earlier, the half-full vs. half-empty outlook might have been a necessary step.

Losing by five points to an NBA Finals team is a lot better than losing by 33 to lottery dwellers.

Having a chance to win in the final minute beats the heck out of garbage time that lasts a whole quarter. Getting one guy off offensively is progress for an attack that was thoroughly discombobulated in Cleveland.

So when coach Flip Saunders and the players started dropping buzzwords such as energy, confidence, competing, pride and restoring Wally Szczerbiak's scoring, their optimism in climbing out of a two-week hole raised more hopes than red flags.

The focus, Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett said, was to distribute. To get center Rasho Nesterovic some "feels." To get forward Joe Smith some "feels." And especially to get guard Wally Szczerbiak some "feels."
"I was really (upset) about the fact that I couldn't help one of my teammates get more productive shots," Garnett said Wednesday, referring to Szczerbiak's 1-for-6 performance 24 hours earlier. "It haunted me all of last night, and I couldn't really sleep."

That might partly explain the final minutes of Minnesota's 96-91 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night at First Union Center.

After battling back from a 12-point third-quarter deficit and helping Szczerbiak score a team-high 31 points by the end of the game Garnett passed up two key shots in the final three minutes, something that eventually might haunt him more.

Don Beideman of the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting that Kobe Bryant, the Lakers superstar who already has two championship rings at age 23 years, is set to have his #33 high school jersey retired tomorrow night.

'The ceremony was Lower Merion coach Gregg Downer's idea. Downer was in his third season as coach when Bryant arrived at the school as a freshman. The Aces went 6-18 that season. But they went 77-14 over the next three seasons, including a 31-3 mark during the title year,' writes Beideman.

The Lakers are scheduled play the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.

HIGHLIGHTS: An all-time franchise record shooting night, the Sonics hitting 41-for-62 (.661). They went 14-for-17 in the third quarter.

HE CAN DO IT, TOO: Dikembe Mutombo may block 2.7 shots a game, but he had one of his own stuffed by Jerome James in the first quarter. James also rejected Aaron McKie's driving layin attempt. James had four blocks in the first game against the Sixers in Seattle before coming up with two more yesterday.

OUT OF MY WAY: Speedy Claxton, who is 5-foot-11, scrambled between the 7-1 James' legs on a first-quarter inbounds play, trying to get to Gary Payton in the corner. He finally made it and was annoying enough to cause Payton to hoist an air ball.

BEST OF IVERSON: In the first quarter, Allen Iverson found Matt Harpring with a behind-the-back pass that resulted in a layin. ... In the second quarter, he picked Brent Barry's pocket but was called for a foul. In disbelief, he raced to the other end of the floor. By the time he returned, all Iverson could say to the officials was "Woooooo, Wooooo," clearly thinking he made a clean steal.

WORST OF IVERSON: An air ball from the corner under pressure from Art Long.

WARMING UP: Desmond Mason shot 6-for-8 and scored 16 points. He has made 19 of his past 29 shots.

NEXT UP: Charlotte, Charlotte Coliseum, tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Sonics backpedaled in a cocksure manner after each swish, an extra bop in the step on three-point jumpers.

Gary Payton and Desmond Mason posed like statues ? wrists still flicked ? after hoisting long jumpers. Inside the paint, Vin Baker displayed the footwork of a ballet dancer while providing Seattle's offense with balance.

A holiday crowd kept waiting for the Sonics to turn cold against the NBA's best defense. When Mason swished a jumper late in the fourth quarter, spectators finally headed for the exits.

The only drama remaining was whether the Sonics would set a franchise record. And Seattle topped its old mark by shooting a sizzling 66.1 percent for a surprising 109-98 victory against the 76ers yesterday.

"We couldn't guard them the whole game," said 76ers Coach Larry Brown, whose team's four-game winning streak was snapped. "We didn't handle their pick-and-roll or dribble penetration and we didn't talk a few times. You name it, we got exposed. It's disappointing."

The outcome was especially impressive because the Sonics scored with the greatest of ease against Philadelphia in a road game that started at 11 a.m. Seattle time.

The Sonics' previous mark was 64.9 percent shooting against the Rockets on April 13, 1996. Coach Nate McMillan remembers the game vividly, and the former Sonics swingman noted similarities yesterday.

"It was just a night when both teams were shooting the ball unbelievably," McMillan recalled. "Tonight, we had the same open looks on the perimeter. We were moving the ball and guys were nailing the shots."

Last year, the 76ers marched to the NBA Finals by playing 48 minutes of hellacious defense. Sure, Allen Iverson provides the answer on offense ? 38 points yesterday ? but his devilish defense, along with that of Eric Snow, disrupts perimeter players.

When opponents get in the paint, they often don't have a prayer against 7-foot-2 Dikembe Mutombo, Philadelphia's spike-blocking center.

Although the 76ers have struggled, they remain perhaps the NBA's premiere defensive team. Philadelphia entered the game holding teams to a league-best average of 88.4 points per game.

When the 76ers defeated Seattle 88-77 on Jan. 4 at KeyArena, Seattle's offense had as much rhythm as a scratched-up record. It didn't help that Baker played with a soft cast to protect ligaments in his right thumb.

Yesterday the Sonics made sweet music, with Baker mixing fancy footwork to get by defenders and displaying his touch when they backed off him.

"We played them well defensively the last time," said Baker, who had 20 points on 9-for-14 shooting. "We just didn't make any shots."

The power forward's rebounding is still lacking, but so far this season, Baker's offense has quietly returned to All-Star form.

Baker is among the NBA leaders in field-goal accuracy at 50.5 percent, which is about the same as the 1997-98 season, when he made the All-NBA second team.

Mason is that kind of player capable of helping even when his offense sputters. And recently, the 6-foot-5 swingman has had to rely on his intensity and defense to contribute.

Yesterday, Mason had his second straight game of sharp shooting, with his confidence growing after each basket.

"The last couple of games I've just been getting back in a groove," said Mason, who made six of eight to score 16 points. "I'm starting to slow down and not go so fast. I feel more confident."

Seattle, one of the best shooting teams in the NBA, has shown uncanny accuracy on offense this season. In the second quarter against the Warriors on Dec. 21, Seattle made 20 of 22 field goals, including 14 straight. But the Sonics cooled off before defeating Golden State in overtime.

Last night, the Sonics shot 63.6 percent to lead 49-45 in the first half. Cool down? Seattle increased the heat in the third quarter by making 14 of 17 for 82.4 percent.

"Any time we were left open," McMillan said, "those guys were nailing some shots."

The 76ers probably have the most boisterous, if not boorish, crowds in the NBA. Payton almost always gets into it with a few hecklers because he can't help but respond.

But yesterday, the 20,773 fans did more groaning than cheering because Seattle used its hot shooting as a silencer. Late in the fourth quarter, with Seattle's victory at hand, one heckler behind the Sonics bench screamed: "You're out in the first round anyway!"

McMillan turned around and look at the fan before responding: "Yeah, but we kicked your (butts) tonight."

On this record-setting day, even Seattle's verbal shots were on target.

The Sonics arrived last night to a city filled with melting snow and soaring hope.

The Eagles are cruising into the NFC championship game. The Flyers lead the NHL's Atlantic Division. The 76ers have won four in a row and look to extend their streak against the Sonics today at First Union Center.

The Sixers are solid favorites in the matinee matchup on Martin Luther King Day, having already defeated the Sonics once this year, 87-77 at KeyArena on Jan. 4, as Allen Iverson scored 22 points.

Iverson has been much hotter than that of late, averaging 41.7 points in his past three games, including a 58-point scorching of Houston last Tuesday. Forty-one is an ominous number: that's how many points he scored in his only game against the Sonics last year.

The most intriguing pairing? "The Answer" vs. Gary Payton, who may as well be "The Rebuttal."

Payton always responds to challenges like these, and is coming off a productive weekend against Denver, scoring 25 points on back-to-back nights. For one day, anyway, he will try to turn this town into the City of Brotherly Glove.

The veteran point guard is consistently productive. His teammates tend to be sporadic, the Denver doubleheader a case in point.

Friday night at the Pepsi Center, there was a confounding lack of effort. Saturday night at KeyArena, the Sonics were energized, and breezed as a result.

It's typical of the NBA in general and the Sonics in particular, but if Nate McMillan's team isn't ready to play, this week, it could be a winless road trip.

A look at each stop, where the Sonics figure to be underdogs in every game:

Philadelphia: For starters, they have not won here in five years. For finishers, the Sixers have the league's best defense, allowing 88.4 points a game. Last year's NBA finalists rebound well, playing to a Sonics weakness, grabbing 24 off the offensive glass against the Knicks Saturday.

With all of the excitement surrounding the Eagles, Dikembe Mutombo had 24 points, 16 rebounds, four blocks -- and a reminder for the city's sports fans.

"We wanted to go out and let people know we are here," the 7-foot-2 center said. "We're coming, so look for us."

Charlotte (Wednesday): The best chance for a Sonics victory, with the Hornets distracted by the team's owners' announced intentions to move the franchise to New Orleans next season.

Nonetheless, the Hornets are talented enough to handle the Sonics, with Baron Davis scoring and distributing to Elden Campbell, while P.J. Brown crashes the boards.

Milwaukee (Thursday): The most unlikely spot for an upset, as George Karl's Bucks have won seven in a row and are 12-2 at home, leading the Central Division at 25-13.

The Bucks are second in the NBA in shooting at 46 percent. Ray Allen has made 34 of his past 50 three-point attempts (.680). Sam Cassell is still weaving and dishing, and Glenn Robinson has a bruised thigh but could return by Thursday.

Indiana (Saturday): The Pacers have lost five consecutive games to fall to 21-21, struggling without Jermaine O'Neal (hyperextended knee) and Jamaal Tinsley (bruised hip and elbow), the rookie who is third in the league in assists with 9.2 a game, just ahead of Payton at 9.1. O'Neal and Tinsley are expected to return by the time the Sonics get to Indianapolis.

Jalen Rose is the Pacers' leading scorer at 18.4 points per game, and Reggie Miller, even at 36, has made 100 3-pointers this season (in 223 attempts, .448) while leading the NBA in free-throw percentage (.913).

SONICS AT SIXERS

WHERE: First Union Center

WHEN: 11 a.m.

TV/RADIO: KING/5; KJR-AM/950

RECORDS: Sonics 20-19, Sixers 19-20. Sixers won 87-77 Jan. 4 at KeyArena.

INJURY REPORT: Sonics: C Calvin Booth (ankle tendinitis) is out. Sixers: F Derrick Coleman (sore foot) is out.

SCOUTING REPORT: Allen Iverson leads league in scoring (29.5) and steals (2.6). Dikembe Mutombo rebounds and blocks shots as well as anyone. Orchestrator Eric Snow has improved his range since his Sonics days. Another ex-Sonic, Derrick McKey, 35, comes off the bench. So does Speedy Claxton, with his darting, distracting game.

OUTLOOK: Difficult place to start a four-game trip. Sonics need to emphasize rebounding. Art Long had 11 against Denver Saturday night and needs another double-digit effort. Desmond Mason went 13-for-21 and averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds in two games against the Nuggets. Coach Nate McMillan's tightened rotation could include guard Shammond Williams, who had five assists and four steals Saturday night.

LINE: Sixers by 5 1/2

P-I PICK: Sixers, 95-79

When: Today, 11 a.m.

Where: First Union Center, Philadelphia.

TV: Ch. 5. Radio: KJR (950 AM).

Records: Sonics 20-19; 76ers 19-20.

P SONICS Ht. Ppg. R/A
C Art Long 6-9 5.1 4.5R
F Vin Baker  6-11 16.6 6.8R
F Rashard Lewis  6-10 16.7 7.3R
G Brent Barry 6-6 12.6 5.5R
G Gary Payton 6-4 22.7 9.1A
P SIXERS  Ht. Ppg. R/A
C Dikembe Mutombo  7-2  10.9 11.7R
F Corie Blount  6-10 2.9 5.0R
F Matt Harpring  6-7  11.9 6.9R
G Allen Iverson  6-0 29.5 5.3A
G Eric Snow  6-3  9.4 5.8A

Notes: Today marks the first game of Seattle's longest road trip of the season. The Sonics also play in Charlotte, Milwaukee and Indianapolis before returning to Seattle on Sunday. ... Sonics assistant Dean Demopoulos returns to the city where he coached at Temple under John Chaney for 17 years. Demopoulos attended West Chester University in the Philadelphia area and graduated in 1977. ... Allen Iverson has the second-most votes for the All-Star Game among Eastern Conference guards. Iverson trails only Michael Jordan, and has the fifth-most votes of all NBA players.

Injuries: Sonics ? C Calvin Booth (right ankle) is on the injured list. 76ers ? F Derrick Coleman (left foot) is questionable. F Damone Brown (lower back), C Alvin Jones (left ankle) and F Jabari Smith (left knee) are on the injured list.

The .500 record keeps dangling there in the Hornets' faces, teasing them, then sending them away in frustration.

It's happened time after time this season. Thursday, it faded again in the closing moments of a 93-88 loss to Philadelphia at the Charlotte Coliseum.

"We just don't quite have enough to get over that hump," coach Paul Silas said after the Hornets dipped to 18-20.

"But we do stay around. We just don't have quite enough firepower right now."

The Hornets had reason to be distracted. The team's owners announced three hours before the game they would file an application to move to New Orleans, and the possible relocation - which must get league approval in April - was the talk of the night in Coliseum hallways.

The players and coaches had other things on the minds. After winning five of their previous seven, the Hornets returned home Thursday hoping to reach the break-even point, then move on from there with a Saturday home game against Toronto. For most of a game that ebbed and flowed with 15 lead changes and 11 ties, they played well enough to pull it off.

Then came the final 1 minute, 46 seconds. That's when Lee Nailon scored the last of his 27 points, giving the Hornets an 88-87 lead. It was their last of the night.

The Sixers moved back in front on Aaron McKie's rainbow jumper from the wing, then shut out Charlotte the rest of the way. The Hornets came up empty on their last five possessions.

That spoiled an overall strong effort that put four players in double figures. David Wesley followed Nailon with 23 points. Baron Davis rang up 11 assists. P.J. Brown and reserve Jamaal Magloire combined for 22 rebounds.

Philadelphia (18-20) countered with just a little more, most of it coming from two players. Allen Iverson surpassed the 30-point mark for the third time this season against the Hornets, finishing with 33. McKie came off the bench for 22.

"It's really frustrating," Wesley said about another lost opportunity to reach .500. "We all feel it. We all can taste it. We all want it pretty bad.

"But we realize we've let some opportunities slip by. That (Philadelphia) is a good team. And for us to be at home we had the crowd we should have won."

Their last four chances to get it done this time evaporated quickly. After the Sixers moved ahead 89-88, Davis missed a baseline jumper and Eric Snow scored on the break for a 91-88 Philadelphia advantage with 1:02 left.

With 48 seconds left, Wesley came off a screen for a three-point attempt but missed.

Charlotte then got back-to-back steals, one each from Davis and Wesley. One resulted in an errant pass by Davis as he was falling down and McKie scooped up the ball. The other produced a missed Nailon baseline jumper with 11.6 seconds left.

Forced to foul immediately, the Hornets then watched as Iverson went to the line and scored the game's final two points.

"It's extremely frustrating," Davis said. "I'm kind of upset because I didn't play as well as I'm supposed to play. Every time we get close (to .500), something like this happens."

Notes

George Lynch, who was activated Tuesday after recovering from foot surgery, sat out Thursday's game with left knee tendinitis. "It was just a little tender but I think he'll be able to play Saturday," Silas said. Former Hornets forward Derrick Coleman, part of the October trade that brought Lynch to Charlotte, also missed the game because of inflammation in his left foot.