DENVER - By Wednesday, the 76ers must decide to either retain or waive Allen Iverson.
Last night, Sixers coach Eddie Jordan said he expected the 34-year-old point guard to remain with the team for the rest of the season.
In the NBA, partially guaranteed contracts such as Iverson's become guaranteed Jan. 10, with a 48-hour waiver period preceding it. Because Jan. 10 falls on a Sunday, the date has been moved to Jan. 8, with teams needing to waive a player by the start of the 48-hour period - this Wednesday.
"Nothing is etched in stone," Jordan said of retaining Iverson. "But I think it's going to happen."
Including last night's game against the Denver Nuggets, Iverson has played nine games with the Sixers this season. He signed a prorated contract for just over $1 million in early December. Entering last night's contest, Iverson was averaging 15.5 points per game and had started every game in which he played.
Iverson missed four games with arthritis in his left knee, a condition that is limiting him to 28 to 30 minutes per game.
Depleted Nuggets
Denver was without two starters: forward Carmelo Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups. Anthony and Billups are the team's top two scorers, combining to average 47.1 points per game.
Anthony sat out for the second straight game. He suffered a bruised right knee against the Sacramento Kings last Monday. Billups, battling a strained groin, has missed six of the Denver's last seven games.
On Saturday night against the Utah Jazz - the Nuggets' first game without both Anthony and Billups - Denver defeated Utah, 105-95.
"Having your two top players out, you never know how you're going to win," Denver coach George Karl said. "You just have to go out there and figure it out."
Green back
Sixers guard Willie Green, who missed the last three games with a sprained left ankle, was activated last night.
End of the road
The Sixers have not played at home since Dec. 19. Since then, they have played six games in four states and the District of Columbia.
Their next game is tomorrow vs. the Washington Wizards at the Wachovia Center.
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