Bucks hold off 76ers

Allen (l) and Cassell are delighted with their victory

Milwaukee 110-100 Philadelphia
(Series level at 3-3 with one game remaining

Ray Allen scored a play-off career-high 41 points as Milwaukee levelled the seven-match series in the NBA finals with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Bucks stood firm as Allen Iverson pushed them all the way, who finally found his shot and scored 26 of his 46 points in the fourth quarter.

During the conference semi-finals, Allen received the inaugural Magic Johnson Ideal Player Award, which honours a player who carries himself as an All-Star both on and off the court.

Allen shone for the Bucks, making 12-of-25 shots, including a remarkable 9-of-13 from three-point range - he scored 25 points in the first half, just six short of the Sixers' total.

It's Game Seven - we're going to go out and get a victory

  Ray Allen

The Bucks led by 33 points early in the third quarter and 80-54 entering the final period before Iverson - shooting just 27% in the series - made Allen's earlier surge look insubstantial.

The NBA Most Valuable Player scored 21 straight Philadelphia points in the first five minutes of the period, reducing the deficit to 86-75.

"He did put on a show," Allen said of Iverson. "I was amazed at times, he hit from everywhere."

"I had my mind focused on scoring as well. I wanted a chance to step up and make big baskets."

It was Allen's second huge game of the series - he scored 38 points with seven three-pointers in Game Two in Philadelphia but had struggled since.

Game Seven is on Sunday at Philadelphia - the 100th of the season for both teams - with the winner advancing to the NBA Finals to face the powerful Los Angeles Lakers.

The defending champion Lakers are undefeated in this year's play-offs, while both the Bucks and Sixers won seventh games on their home floor in the conference semi-finals.

"It's Game Seven - we're going to go out and get a victory," Allen said.