NEW ORLEANS (REUTERS) — The Philadelphia 76ers didn’t need a heroic effort from Allen Iverson to regain command of their playoff series with the New Orleans Hornets.

Iverson’s 22 points Monday night were his lowest total in the series. But five other Sixers scored in double figures in a 96-87 victory that gave Philadelphia a 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 to be played in Philadelphia Wednesday night.

The balanced scoring and rebounding effort by the Sixers spoiled a 34-point performance by Baron Davis, who received too little help from the rest of the team to pull the Hornets even in the series.

Eric Snow had 17 points and 12 assists for Philadelphia, while Keith Van Horn scored 13 points. Kenny Thomas, Derrick Coleman and Aaron McKie each scored 11.

McKie’s final bucket, a 3-pointer with 2:45 left, sealed the game, giving Philadelphia a 94-82 lead. Iverson found McKie wide open in the corner for the basket and started yelling, “Yeah, yeah,” before the ball had even left McKie’s hands.

Although the Hornets were within striking distance well into the fourth quarter, Philadelphia always found a way to reverse the momentum. It never lost the lead after Iverson gave the Sixers a 19-18 lead with a one-handed floater off the glass.

New Orleans had its deficit down to 81-80 after David Wesley followed P.J. Brown’s jumper with a three-pointer.

But the Sixers came back with a 6-0 run on a jumper by Snow, a dunk by Coleman and a long jump shot by Iverson as he fell backward.

Wesley finished with 12 points for New Orleans, while Brown had 11 points and nine rebounds.

Philadelphia redeemed itself on the boards. Although Thomas’ eight rebounds were a team high, the Sixers out-rebounded the Hornets as a team 43-38, two nights after being embarrassed 51-33 in that department in Game 3. The Sixers also improved their offensive rebounding total from six to 17.

Philadelphia scored six quick points to start the game, but by midway through the quarter, the Sixers were 2-for-15 from the field as the Hornets ran to a 13-6 lead. Iverson missed his first five shots, while Davis hit his first three.

When the 76ers settled down, however, they couldn’t miss. Iverson hit his next two shots and the Sixers their next seven as part of a 13-2 run that put Philadelphia back ahead 23-18.

The Sixers opened a 51-37 lead in the second period, thanks in part to the Hornets being over the limit in team fouls with 4:24 to go in the half. McKie hit a jumper, a 3-pointer and a free throw in succession to close out a 10-0 run.

The lead was trimmed to 52-45 at halftime only because Davis closed the period with two free throws and a pair of threes, giving him 24 points for the half.

New Orleans had cut a 59-50 third-quarter deficit to 65-64. But helped once again by New Orleans being over the limit in team fouls, Philadelphia went on a 9-2 run to close the quarter.

Iverson finished the period with a scoop shot as he soared diagonally across the lane, giving the Sixers a 74-66 lead to start the final period.