During the 2000-01 season, Philadelphia 76ers’ guard Allen Iverson won the scoring title and MVP while leading the Sixers to the NBA Finals for the first time in 18 years.
On this day 20 years ago however, Iverson’s 47 points weren’t enough to top a balanced Orlando Magic effort led by guard Darrell Armstrong. Orlando rallied late in regulation and then again in overtime before beating Philadelphia in double-overtime, 123-117.
After three quarters at the First Union Center on Feb. 2, 2001, it didn’t seem like overtime was anything that the Magic needed to worry about. The Magic were just 21-23 coming in while Philadelphia owned the best record in the NBA at 35-11.