It's one thing to be done in by perennial NBA all-star Jason Kidd, but it's another when the fourth-quarter culprit is none other than Jason Collins.
Who?

Not yet a household name outside East Rutherford, N. J., the 7-foot Collins scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter as the New Jersey Nets defeated the listless 76ers, 88-80, last night at the First Union Center.

Collins is a rookie from Stanford and one of five Pacific Ten Conference players on the Nets' roster. He entered the game averaging 4.3 points and exited as one of the many Nets heroes. In the fourth quarter, he hit 3 of 4 shots from the field and all four attempts from the foul line. For good measure, he grabbed four of his five rebounds in the final period.

"[Collins] made a great offensive tip when they needed it, but their whole team hurt us," said Sixers coach Larry Brown, whose 37-33 team fell after a modest two-game win streak with Allen Iverson injured and lost to the Nets for the first time in three meetings. "We didn't do a good job of guarding the pick and roll."

Phil Jasner of the Daily News reports that Allen Iverson may have made the correct decision. He opted against surgery on his broken left hand and instead decided to place it in a cast and let it heal naturally. Initial reports were that surgery could allow him to play 1 to 2 weeks earlier than a cast. What wasn't reported at that time was that the surgery would have to wait until the swelling goes down on his hand.

"With that, the difference probably becomes a little less distinct, a little more blurred," Dr. Jack McPhilemy, the 76ers' orthopedic specialist said before last night's 88-80 loss to the New Jersey Nets.

McPhilemy said in a meeting with reporters that Iverson, the Sixers' star guard, fractured the second metacarpal bone in his left hand in the first quarter of Friday's victory in Boston. A cast was not applied until Tuesday, so the swelling could recede.

Had Iverson opted for surgery, which would have included insertion of a plate and screws, the operation still could be several days away, because doctors would have had to wait for additional reduction of swelling. Plus, there would have been the risk of infection that accompanies any surgical procedure.

The projection that Iverson likely will miss four to six weeks remains in place, although McPhilemy also said, "We don't control his body's healing process." McPhilemy said Iverson would need about three months for the injury to heal completely.

Iverson's cast will be removed weekly for evaluation; the cast eventually will be replaced by a splint, allowing for more rehabilitation work.

Iverson, who had been hurt in the first half against the Celtics and had not played in the second half, watched the Knicks game from the bench, a bulky wrap protecting his newly broken left hand. He cheered as much as anyone during the final seconds of the Sixers' 90-82 victory.

The Sixers beat the Knicks because they played dogged defense. They forced 10 turnovers and scored 14 points on the break.

They beat the Knicks because they scored 36 points in the paint.

And they beat the Knicks because they got balanced scoring. Five players scored in double figures, including Derrick Coleman (18 points), Speedy Claxton (17), Dikembe Mutombo (16), Eric Snow (14), and Aaron McKie (12).

Claxton, Iverson's replacement in the starting lineup, went 7 for 11 from the field and collected four assists, five rebounds, a steal, and a block.

"There's only one way to prove it - win games," Eric Snow said on whether the Sixers could be successful without Iverson, who is expected to be out at least for the rest of the regular season.

"That's what we want to do. Our goal is to win games, not because people think we can't, but because we want to get into the playoffs, and we want to get in the best position we can get. We've got the same focus, the same goals that we had when Allen Iverson was playing."

With Allen Iverson possibly sitting out the rest of the regular season, the question is whether he has enough points to win the scoring title. Bob Vetrone JR. of the Daily News breaks down the statistical possibilities.

To be eligible for the NBA scoring crown, a player must reach a minimum of games (70) or points (1,400). Although Iverson will finish with just 60 games played, he surpassed the points minimum on Feb. 23, so his 31.4 average qualifies. Shaquille O'Neal, second in scoring at 26.9 points per game, must average 45.4 points in his final 13 games to surpass Iverson.

Iverson also leads the league in steals but may have some competition from Indiana's Ron Artest. With 168 steals, Iverson has more than the 125 minimum, so his 2.80 average qualifies. Artest will need 48 steals in the Pacers final 13 games (3.69 average) to overtake Iverson. While statistically not likely, Artest does have 11 games this season with 4 or more steals so it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Iverson's injury means he must wait until next season for one individual achievement. When he scored his 10,000th point on Jan. 21, his career scoring average (currently sixth, at 26.9) qualified to be ranked among the NBA's all-time leaders. Had he not gotten hurt and maintained his average of 31.4 through the end of the season, he would have moved just ahead of Jerry West (27.03) for fifth place.

Healthiest team will likely win East
Published March 25, 2002

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Tim Povtak

In a season when there are no certainties in the Eastern Conference, the best players aren't going to reach the NBA Finals.

The healthiest will.

Toronto's Vince Carter, who had been struggling for weeks with a sore knee, was shut down for the season and faces surgery today.

Philadelphia's Allen Iverson broke his hand last week, and he isn't expected back for a month.

Orlando's Tracy McGrady scared the life right out of an entire organization Friday with his frightening fall, leaving him overnight in the hospital with back spasms.

Together last week, the three proved just how delicate the balance of power really is in the East. Without Carter healthy, the Raptors have been woeful. Without Iverson, the Sixers are nothing. Without McGrady, the Magic are dreadful.

Health -- and not stars -- will decide who wins the East.

If Jason Kidd had a bad ankle sprain, the Nets would do a free fall. If Ben Wallace wasn't there to rebound and block shots, the Detroit Piston would become the Atlanta Hawks.

"Whoever gets hot -- and stays healthy -- will come out of the East," said Magic point guard Darrell Armstrong. "It's so up for grabs, and we think we have as good a chance as anyone. I think this just shows you how important it is to stay healthy."

The Charlotte Hornets were without Jamal Mashburn early this season, and they weren't very good. With him and everyone else back, they are as good as anyone in the East, now riding a six-game winning streak.

The Magic are fortunate that McGrady could be back as early as Tuesday against Chicago. Once he left Friday, the Magic hardly challenged the Hornets. They never even made the Milwaukee Bucks sweat Sunday. Without him this season, they are 1-4.

"Everything is so balance in the East this season," said Hornets veteran P.J. Brown. It's like parity in college basketball. The eight teams that go into the playoffs from the East -- if they are healthy -- will all believe they can reach the NBA Finals. In the nine years I've been in the league, I've never seen it like this."

McGrady's stock on the rise

Tracy McGrady isn't going to win the NBA's Most Valuable Player Award this season -- Jason Kidd built too much of an early lead, and Shaquille O'Neal qualifies to win it every year -- but he certainly has put himself into strong contention for the future.

Voters normally go for the stars that have been knocking on the door for years. Just look at the last six winners.

Allen Iverson, who won the award last season, had to win two scoring titles and turn 26 before he became a MVP. O'Neal was 28 when he won, after two scoring titles and a month before his first NBA title.

Karl Malone and Michael Jordan alternated winning the prior four seasons. Jordan already had established himself as the greatest player in history, and Malone was an All-Star 10 times before he won.

McGrady, 22, has put himself into a favorite's role for next season with a dazzling second half. If he wins it then, at the ripe age of 23, he would become the youngest winner since Bob McAdoo became MVP in 1975 at 23.

McGrady, before he was hurt Friday, had been the best player in the league since the All-Star break, carrying the Magic to a 12-6 record after he stole the show with the All-Star Game, raising his confidence another level.

Since the break, he has averaged 29.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 2.3 steals and 1.1 blocks. No one else in the league has won games in so many different ways.

Iverson has scored more. Duncan and O'Neal have rebounded better. Kidd has dished more assists. But no one has done it like McGrady in every statistical category.

Carter tired of criticism

Vince Carter says he will have a short memory next season, and he's going hunting for his critics.

As the Raptors struggled the last several weeks, falling out of playoff contention, Carter has been attacked for his lack of leadership and his inability to upright a sinking ship.

Most of the criticism, from players, fans and media, came from those who didn't know how badly he was slowed by the cartilage damage in his knee.

"In the summer, when I'm home, I can just sit there and think about all the rough times, all this, all that, all the players who tried to come at me when I was hurt,'' he said. "All that stuff. I'm gonna remember so there's going to be some hell to pay next year.''

The Raptors, remember, were supposed to be contenders this season after re-signing Carter and everyone else they wanted last summer. But the season became a disaster. Carter took much of the blame.

"They're all going to eat those words. I'm going to do what I have to do to get to the situation where I want to be, and once I'm healthy and ready to go, I'm gonna start attacking people,'' he said. "I refuse to make excuses. Like I said a long time ago, if I choose to go out there and play, I have to go out there and perform regardless of my situation. I wasn't looking for some sympathy. If I was hurt and playing well, no one would have said anything."

Popularity almost 'Shaq-like'

Interesting scene at the Meet the Magic night for season ticket holders at the RDV Sportplex last week. The doors opened, and there was a flood of fans all racing to the table where Tracy McGrady was sitting. The difference from last season -- his first with the Magic -- to this season has been huge for McGrady in the eyes of the fans. "It's become Shaq-like,'' said Chris D'Orso, Magic director of marketing. "It's exciting to see, but I just hope it doesn't overwhelm him.''

Officials watching Martin closely

Rod Thorn, general manager of the Nets, said officials have been picking on his power forward/thug Kenyon Martin ever since he tried to take off McGrady's head under the basket.

Martin has five flagrant fouls this season, and he will receive a two-game suspension now for any more.

"He's looked at very closely. Since the (Tracy) McGrady foul, he's been looked at extraordinarily close," said Thorn.

And that's a good thing for the rest of the NBA.

Hardaway complaining . . . again

Penny Hardaway of Phoenix had an outstanding game against the Magic, his former teammates, earlier this month, but then things quickly turned sour again. He and Coach Frank Johnson are not seeing eye-to-eye very often.

"I'm getting sick and tired of reading little comments (from Johnson) that I don't know anything about after every game,'' he said. "If I don't have the pop, tell me, 'Hey, give me a little more energy.' I don't know what it is I'm not doing when I'm out there. I'd love to know.''

With 5 minutes, 16 seconds remaining in the first quarter, McKie reported in to give Claxton a rest. In turn, the crowd gave him a rousing standing ovation. He was nervous, but that felt good.

McKie missed his two shots in the first half but made 3 of 4 in the second half, when the Sixers really needed them. He finished with 12 points, an assist, a steal, and a rebound in 21 minutes.

Likewise, Derrick Coleman was huge, posting his 20th double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds. And in his 11th start of his rookie season, Claxton finished with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.

"I expected us to be nervous and New York to be loose," Brown said. "But we have a lot of guys with character. The bottom line is, this is a bunch of guys that want to do the right thing and understand we lost a great player and we're trying to hold the fort until, hopefully, he can come back."

Although they missed 24 of 35 shots from the field in the first half, the Sixers had a precarious 40-39 lead at the break.

In the third quarter, Coleman hit a three-pointer that put them ahead by 49-47. They did not relinquish the lead, which grew to 74-62 with 6:03 remaining.

The Sixers were cruising. The Knicks, who entered the game with a 26-41 record, sitting in the Atlantic Division cellar, looked cooked.

But with the help of four three-pointers, including three by Latrell Sprewell, the Knicks went on an 18-9 run to pull to within 83-80 with 1:13 left.

Phil Jasner of the Daily News reports that Allen Iverson has chosen to not get surgery on his broken left hand. Doctors have estimated that surgery could allow him to return to action sooner than letting the break heal on its own, but Iverson does not want his body cut on again.

"I'm just trying to do what's right; I don't want this to carry over into next year,'' Iverson said. "Hopefully, I'll sit out the last 14 games and be able to play in the playoffs. . .I didn't want to be cut on any more. I got surgery on my elbow, and my elbow, I think, is worse than before. I'm not big on having surgery." Later, Iverson said, "I want to do what's right for me. This season means everything to me, but it's not everything. I want to play next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. I don't want to keep dealing with the same injury."

For now the Sixers must learn to win without Iverson. Before yesterdays' 90-82 win over the Knicks, the Sixers had dropped their last 10 decisions, including a playoff game against Milwaukee last season, when he was unavailable. Including the postseason, they are 16-27 without him during his five-plus seasons in the league.

"I always say that, when somebody goes down, other guys have to shine," Iverson said. "It's time to put up or shut up. I've got all the confidence in the world in them. Everybody thinks we're just going to fold and go home early, have a good summer. I think these guys' hearts, on this squad, are bigger than just that."