Heading into Game 2 of the 2001 Eastern Conference Semi-finals, the Philadelphia 76ers needed and answer and they found it in Allen Iverson.
Down 1-0 to the Toronto Raptors, Iverson put in an offensive performance for the ages, torching the Raptors for 54 points in Game 2 to level the series.
Iverson filled it up, shooting 21-of-39 from the field, with 34 of those shots two-pointers, adding five rebounds, and four assists to lead the 76ers to a 97-92 win.
“I always feel the only person who can stop me is myself,” said Iverson, who scored 19 of the 76ers final 20 points in the fourth quarter. “The only thing I care about is getting a win. If I shoot terrible, and we win, that’s all that matters.”
The one-man offensive juggernaut lit up the Raptors off the dribble, draining jumper after jumper, with Eric Snow (10 points) the only other 76er to score in double figures.
Watch the game below:
Iverson went back and forth all series with Raptors star Vince Carter, who led them with 28 points and seven rebounds in Game 2.
Carter hit back with 50 points in a 102-78 blowout win in Game 3, before Iverson dropped another 50-piece in Game 5, recording 52 points in the win.
The 76ers emerged from the series in seven games, going on to face the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, which they lost in five games.
Fresh off being named MVP and winning the scoring title, Iverson averaged 32.9 points, 6.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.4 steals in the 2001 postseason.
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