Philadelphia, PA (My Sportsbook) - Allen Iverson scored 16 of his game-high 39 points in the third quarter, as the Philadelphia 76ers dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers, 96-73, at the Wachovia Center.

Iverson, who ripped his teammates earlier in the week for lack of heart and toughness, was 15-of-29 from the field and dished out six assists. Glenn Robinson added 26 points and Eric Snow had 10 for the Sixers, who halted a two-game losing streak.

"It was a team effort," Iverson said after the game. "Everyone came out fighting."

Shaquille O'Neal paced the struggling Lakers with 17 points and eight rebounds. Devean George had 13 points off the bench and Stanislav Medvedenko netted 12, as Los Angeles suffered its sixth loss in 10 tries.

Los Angeles has dropped 11 of its last 14 games on the road, including four in a row at Philadelphia.

"We just had dead legs tonight. It was just obvious we didn't have any zip out there at all," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "This is not a low point. They're not depressed about it. They just had a bad game."

Lakers guard Kobe Bryant did not join his teammates in Philadelphia, but is expected to be in Orlando against the Magic on Sunday.

On Wednesday, Lakers coach Phil Jackson originally noted that Bryant would join the team in Orlando to spare him from being the target of taunts from fans in Philly. Bryant was booed heavily in Philadelphia during the 2002 All- Star game when he was named the MVP of that game.

Bryant, who was accused of sexually assaulting a then 19-year-old woman on June 30 at a Colorado resort, is on the injured list with a lacerated index finger.

Gary Payton was ejected by referee Joe Crawford with 3:09 left in the first quarter after a pair of technical foul violations. Iverson buried the free throws and gave the Sixers an 18-8 lead. Philadelphia looked strong and carried a 25-10 edge into the second quarter, thanks to a period-ending 23-5 run.

"I haven't seen that energetic flavor from us in a while," Iverson added.

Aaron McKie buried a three from the left corner early in the second quarter to extend Philadelphia's lead to 31-14. Iverson's fade-away jumper made it 35-18 midway through the stanza. He later made a long three and the 76ers were in front by a 42-24 score. Philly then headed to the break with a 44-29 lead.

Los Angeles just barely avoided its worst performance in a half. The Lakers posted 25 points versus the San Antonio Spurs on January 9, 1994.

Philadelphia came out of the locker room smoking and grabbed a 65-40 lead on Snow's basket with about five minutes left in the third quarter. The Sixers continued to stay hot and made it 77-49 on an Iverson jumper with less than two minutes remaining. Philadelphia then led 77-50 after 36 minutes.

George knocked down a three for the Lakers almost five minutes into the fourth quarter, trimming the lead to 85-63. Philadelphia then cleared its bench for garbage time and the Sixers rolled to the 23-point triumph. It was the worst loss of the season for the Lakers.

"I tried to make sure I led by example," Iverson said. "I saw guys were trying to get things done the right way."