PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The gravity-defying move and dramatic shot looked so familiar. When Allen Iverson threw in a little tongue-wagging for good measure, the comparison was inescapable.

In capturing the first scoring title of the post-Michael Jordan era, Iverson sure brought back some memories.

Iverson scored 33 points Wednesday night, edging the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal 26.75 to 26.31 in one of the closest scoring races in NBA history. With a clutch jumper that sent it to overtime, Iverson also helped the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Detroit Pistons 105-100 to clinch the sixth playoff seed in the Eastern Conference.

``It was really something I can't describe, because I've never been through it before,'' said Iverson, who laughed and high-stepped while dribbling out the clock to celebrate his first trip to the playoffs. ``It's sort of like just getting a driver's license and a brand new car.''

O'Neal, who took the floor against Portland later Wednesday night needing 40 points to overtake Iverson, fell far short with 18. So Iverson didn't know until a couple of hours later that he'd put his unmistakable touch on the NBA record book.

Winning the honor that Jordan captured 10 times, Iverson became the Sixers' first scoring champion since Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-66. At 6-feet, he also is the shortest player to lead the league in scoring. The 6-foot-1 Nate ``Tiny'' Archibald won it in 1972-73.

``I think it would be a great for the league, a little kid winning the scoring championship,'' said Sixers coach Larry Brown, who had a one-on-one meeting with Iverson before the game.

The Sixers, in the playoffs for the first time since the 1990-91 season, play Orlando in the first round. Philadelphia won two of three games against the Magic this season.

``We got what we wanted, but number eight is even good,'' Iverson said. ``I take it any way you put it. We don't really care who we play. We wanted to get the sixth spot because it was right there for us.''

So was the scoring title, Iverson's first big accomplishment since winning the rookie of the year award three years ago.

O'Neal, who won the scoring title in 1995, also lost by .44 to San Antonio's David Robinson in 1993-94.

``Even being the second leading scorer in a league like this is real big, for somebody who's coming from where I've come from in my life and who's been through what I've been through,'' Iverson said.

After Aaron McKie stole an inbounds pass intended for Jerry Stackhouse with 13 seconds left in regulation, Iverson tied it at 93 with an 18-foot jumper over the 6-foot-11 Christian Laettner with eight seconds to go.

``Biggest shot of my life,'' Iverson said.

Rookie Larry Hughes made an Iverson-esque crossover move and driving layup to give Philadelphia a 103-100 lead with 41 seconds left in OT. The Pistons called timeout, and Iverson celebrated by grabbing Hughes and screaming in front of the scorer's table.

The Pistons had a final chance, but Lindsey Hunter missed a 3-pointer and Laettner threw up an airball. Instead of taking another shot -- as he might have earlier in his career -- Iverson dribbled out the clock and celebrated.

``It was enough,'' Iverson said. ``I didn't want to throw anything in Detroit's face. To me, that would have been real selfish for me to take that shot.''

Stackhouse, not angered by Iverson's emotional display, showed up in the Sixers' locker room to hug and congratulate his former backcourt mate.

``It was a great win for them in their last game, so they can showboat,'' said Stackhouse, who came off the bench to score 21.

Eric Snow had a career-high 20 points and added 10 assists for the Sixers. Tyrone Hill scored 21, and Matt Geiger had 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Grant Hill had 27 points for the Pistons, whose bid for homecourt advantage against Atlanta ended with the Hawks' victory over Washington.

After hitting the tying shot in regulation, Iverson ran back thumping his chest and wagging his tongue like Jordan. It wasn't the only trick he borrowed from His Airness.

Earlier, Iverson made his fourth four-point play this season in the second quarter. In the third, he made one of the most breathtaking baskets of his career.

Iverson caught Hughes' alley-oop pass one-handed as he soared underneath the basket. Steadying the ball with his left hand, Iverson brought it up from his waist and flipped it over his head and in -- off the glass and with three bounces on the rim.