Philadelphia ? Once the flu didn’t stop Allen Iverson, nobody could.

Iverson scored a season-high 50 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 98-86 victory Saturday over the Atlanta Hawks.

Kenny Thomas had 13 rebounds and reserve John Salmons added 13 points for Philadelphia, which leads the Atlantic Division despite a 9-9 record.

Weakened by a flu, Iverson had a season-low 12 points and missed 15 of 19 shots in a loss Friday to Indiana. He had 13 points in the first quarter against Atlanta, and kept scoring.

“I didn’t feel better, but I was rested,” Iverson said.

Jason Terry had 20 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 17 for the Hawks, who are off to a 6-12 start. It was the ninth time, including playoffs, that Iverson has scored 50 or more points in his eight seasons. He had 55 in a playoff victory over New Orleans last April.

“He was phenomenal,” Sixers coach Randy Ayers said. “We really needed it.”

Iverson made six of his seven shots — all jumpers — in the third quarter, and finished 20-of-34, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. He had 14 of Philadelphia’s 18 points during one stretch as the Sixers pulled away early in the fourth quarter.

Consecutive three-pointers by Iverson and Salmons gave the Sixers an 80-68 lead less than two minutes into the fourth quarter.

“He wasn’t missing anything,” Hawks forward Stephen Jackson said. “When a guy is shooting like that, there’s nothing you can do.”

Pistons 80, Wizards 69

Washington — Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Chauncey Billups added 22 to lead the Detroit Pistons to their eighth win in nine games. Detroit’s win overshadowed a solid game by Brendan Haywood, who led the Wizards with 23 points.

Bucks 100, Celtics 94

Milwaukee — Joe Smith made two free throws with 11 seconds left and Toni Kukoc scored nine fourth-quarter points. With Boston trailing 96-93, Paul Pierce was fouled while taking a three-pointer with 12 seconds to go, but missed two of three free throws. Pierce, an 89 percent free-throw shooter coming in, missed 5 of 8 from the line.

After a timeout, Boston fouled Smith, who sank both free throws for a 98-94 lead. Vin Baker missed a three and Michael Redd hit a pair of free throws for the final margin.

Pierce exited with 10:04 left in the third quarter because of an injury to his left hand. He returned with 7:49 left in the quarter.

Grizzlies 122,

Cavaliers 115, 2OT

Cleveland — Pau Gasol scored a career-high 37 points and the Grizzlies completed their second-biggest comeback with a win in double overtime.

Shane Battier added 22 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who trailed by 24 in the first half and 16 going into the fourth quarter.

Memphis’ comeback was its biggest since overcoming a 25-point deficit to beat Portland March 25, 2002.

Cavs rookie LeBron James had his best game as a pro — 33 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists.

Knicks 79, Hornets 74

New York — Allan Houston scored 18 points, and Dikembe Mutombo added 13 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Mutombo had 11 points and seven rebounds in the first half.

Heat 78, Raptors 66

Miami — Rookie Dwyane Wade scored 16 points to lead the Heat. The Raptors were without starters Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams. Davis and Williams are part of a six-player trade that will send Jalen Rose to the Raptors.

Mavericks 92, T’wolves 88

Dallas — Michael Finley scored 25 points for the winners. Josh Howard scored seven points during a 22-4 run that turned a 12-point deficit into a six-point lead.

Sonics 95, Rockets 88

Seattle — Rashard Lewis scored 27 points in his return from a one-game absence and rookie Luke Ridnour had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter.

Nuggets 98, Clippers 86

Los Angeles — Vashon Leonard scored a season-high 26 points and Denver never trailed.

Spurs 91, Warriors 89

Oakland, Calif. — Nick Van Exel scored 16 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter. Tim Duncan, who missed a wide-opener 20-footer in the final second, led the Spurs with 27 points.