Iverson fights back as 76ers level

The eyes have it for Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson played through the pain to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a much-needed win over the Milwaukee Bucks that tied up the Eastern Conference finals at 2-2.

Playing the final two minutes with a dislodged front tooth after he was elbowed by Ray Allen, Iverson sparked the 76ers to a 93-89 win.

Iverson - rested from game three with a sore hip joint - scored 11 of his team's final 13 points, including seven in a row.

"I didn't think the refs were going to let me back in the game because I was spitting up so much blood," said Iverson.

"I was trying to stop the bleeding but it wouldn't stop, so I kept my mouth closed and swallowed the blood when it filled up."

Frustrated

Iverson underwent a slow start which saw him miss 10 straight shots at one point as he finished with 10-for-32 from the field for 28 points.

Despite his injury Iverson played the entire game except for the final 16 seconds of the third quarter and also contributed eight assists, five rebounds and two steals.

It was clear from the start that Iverson had his quickness back, looking nothing like the player who moved through game three at half-speed.

The 76ers also got big contributions from Dikembe Mutombo (17points and 15 rebounds) and Tyrone Hill (14 points), while they shut down the Bucks over the last eight minutes.

Allen Iverson (front) gets up close and personal with Bucks Sam Cassell

Milwaukee fans booed their home team as they left the court, frustrated by a poor display and the missed chance to take control of a playoff series.

Glenn Robinson, who led the Bucks with 20 points, was ejected for drawing two technical fouls with 58 seconds left.

Philadelphia's win ensured the NBA finals will not start until 6 June, giving Western Conference champions LA Lakers 10 days rest between games.

The Eastern Conference playoff is now effectively a best-of-three series that resumes on Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

The teams return to Milwaukee for game six on Friday night, and if a seventh game is necessary it will take place in Philadelphia on Sunday.