The 76ers returned to action in Phoenix on Saturday for their first game in a week. Before the start of the season, both the Sixers and Suns were predicted to finish at the bottom of their respective conferences but that hasn't been true for one of those teams... and its not the Sixers. The Suns (17-11) have been surprisingly competitive and would prove to be too much for Philly in this contest, as the Sixers lose their 13th in a row on the road.
Unfortunately for Philadelphia, Evan Turner would not play in this game as he rested a sore knee. Elliot Williams would start in his place but finish scoreless. The Sixers, as always, allowed their opponent to get off to a hot start, scoring 36 in the first quarter. Philadelphia was able to bounce back with a very effective 2nd quarter. The Sixers' 9 first-half three pointers kept them in it. The Suns went in to the half with a slim 60-59 lead. The Sixers would take a 65-60 lead early in the 3rd quarter, but Eric Bledsoe and Channing Frye would retake the lead for Phoenix. The Suns retained the lead for the remainder of the quarter and would push it to double-digits. Tony Wroten would help the Sixers trim the deficit to 7 at the end of the 3rd. Thad Young would cut it to 6 midway through the final quarter but 3 three-pointers from Marcus Morris would push the gap back to double-digits where it would stay. The Sixers would lose yet another on the road, falling 115-101.
Thad Young led the Sixers in both points and rebounds, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Young hit 4 threes and swiped 4 steals to round out his impressive performance. Carter-Williams added 27 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, and 4 steals in another all-around game in his young career. Spencer Hawes grabbed 7 rebounds and turned away 2 shots for blocks to go with his 12 points. Wroten added 22 points off the bench. Philly had trouble hitting shots, only connecting on 39% for the game. After hitting 9 three-pointers in the 1st half, the Sixers would only connect on 2 more and they came early in the 3rd. The 76ers were out-rebounded 49-57.
Miles Plumlee led Phoenix with a career-high 22 points and added 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Dragic scored 21 and 5 assists while Bledsoe added 4 assists, 3 steals to go with his 20 points. Morris added 18 points off the bench. Phoenix killed the Sixers in transition, out-scoring them 31-14 in transition. The Suns recorded 11 blocks as a team.
The Sixers will travel to LA to play the Lakers on Sunday. They will look to improve defensively and finally pull out their 2nd win on the road this season.
By: Matt Ryan
Thad Young led the Sixers in both points and rebounds, finishing with 30 points and 10 rebounds. Young hit 4 threes and swiped 4 steals to round out his impressive performance. Carter-Williams added 27 points, 5 boards, 6 assists, and 4 steals in another all-around game in his young career. Spencer Hawes grabbed 7 rebounds and turned away 2 shots for blocks to go with his 12 points. Wroten added 22 points off the bench. Philly had trouble hitting shots, only connecting on 39% for the game. After hitting 9 three-pointers in the 1st half, the Sixers would only connect on 2 more and they came early in the 3rd. The 76ers were out-rebounded 49-57.
Miles Plumlee led Phoenix with a career-high 22 points and added 13 rebounds and 3 blocks. Dragic scored 21 and 5 assists while Bledsoe added 4 assists, 3 steals to go with his 20 points. Morris added 18 points off the bench. Phoenix killed the Sixers in transition, out-scoring them 31-14 in transition. The Suns recorded 11 blocks as a team.
The Sixers will travel to LA to play the Lakers on Sunday. They will look to improve defensively and finally pull out their 2nd win on the road this season.
By: Matt Ryan