Iverson's Pistons debut upstaged by Nets' Harris
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Detroit Pistons were unable to capitalize on new acquisition Allen Iverson's team-leading 24 points to drop their first game of the season, a 103-96 loss at the New Jersey Nets on Friday.
Nets point guard Devin Harris scored a game-high 38 points as New Jersey used a second-half surge to beat Detroit (4-1) and steal the thunder from Iverson's debut.
Harris converted 20-of-24 free throws, and scored four successive points down the stretch to push New Jersey's lead to 102-94 with 18 seconds to go. Vince Carter and Josh Boone added 18 points each for the Nets (2-2).
The Pistons struggled to find the range from the floor, shooting just 37 percent (28-for-75). Richard Hamilton scored 22 and Tayshaun Prince added 19.
The 33-year-old Iverson, a four-times scoring champion and former league MVP, was traded to the Pistons from the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
He had to postpone his debut after being withheld from Wednesday's game while guard Chauncey Billups underwent a physical that finalized his move to the Nuggets.
Iverson scored 13 points in the first half, finished 6-for-12 from the field and added six assists and three rebounds.
The Pistons took a 44-39 advantage into halftime, but New Jersey used a 12-4 run midway through the third quarter to take control of the game and claim a 70-62 advantage before holding off the Pistons.
(Writing by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing by Greg Stutchbury)
