After dropping 13 games in a row away from the Wells Fargo Center, the Sixers have now won three straight. The 76ers arrived in Sacramento (10-20) Thursday continuing their 6 game road trip. The Sixers, led by Thaddeus Young, would win despite a monstrous performance from DeMarcus Cousins. The final score: Philadelphia 113- Sacramento 104.
The 76ers offense was effective for the second game in a row putting up 61 first half points. Turner had 10 points in 1st quarter as the Sixers found themselves with a 5 point lead after one. The Kings would quickly, but briefly, retake lead in the second quarter. The Sixers interior defense had no one to stop DeMarcus Cousins in the middle of his breakout year. The 76ers bench made a big contribution in back-to-back nights. This time, Wroten provided a scoring spark in reserve, scoring 13 first half points. The Sixers held a ten point lead, 61-51, at the break despite Cousins 22 points and 7 rebounds in the first half.
Spencer Hawes picked up his 4th foul less than 2 minutes into the second half, but luckily for the Sixers, Cousins also quickly picked up 2 fouls, forcing both starting centers to the sit for the remainder of the quarter. Thad Young led Philadelphia on a 9-0 run that led to an 18 point lead. Just when it looked like the Sixers had tightened their grip on the game, Isiah Thomas led the Kings on a quick run of their own. A pull-up three from Thomas made it only a 8 point game, but Philly closed out the quarter well, increasing their lead to 15. Yet again, the Sixers allowed Sacramento to get hot. Jimmer Fredette scored 7 straight for the Kings as they cut Philly's lead to 5 early in the 4th. Thad Young led another Sixers' run to put them back up by double-digits after a put-back dunk. The Kings would again make it a single digit game with under a minute but the Sixers would hold on and win it 113-104.
Thaddeus Young had a big second half offensively and he led the Sixers with 28 points and made all 9 free throws. Young contributed in every way possible, collecting 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and a career-high 6 steals. Young is averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 boards, and 3 steals over the last 6 games. Turner played well and ended with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. MCW had a quiet night, finishing with only 7 points and 5 assists, but also recorded 3 blocks. Wroten and Lavoy Allen added 21 and 10 respectfully off the bench. Philadelphia limited their turnovers to only 12 (compared to SAC's 22) and their reserves contributed 41 points.
Cousins finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds for the Kings, showing what a offensively gifted big man can do to this weak Sixers defense. Isiah Thomas hit 4 threes on his way to 23 points while also passing out 7 assists. Rudy Gay scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Fredette added 15 off the bench.
The 76ers have won three straight, all on the road. Although these road wins have all come against struggling teams (Nuggets, Lakers, Kings) you've got to start somewhere. Philadelphia (11-21) will end their road trip with a real test in Portland on Saturday. When the Blazers visited Philly earlier this season, the Sixers were blown out 139-105.
By: Matt Ryan
Spencer Hawes picked up his 4th foul less than 2 minutes into the second half, but luckily for the Sixers, Cousins also quickly picked up 2 fouls, forcing both starting centers to the sit for the remainder of the quarter. Thad Young led Philadelphia on a 9-0 run that led to an 18 point lead. Just when it looked like the Sixers had tightened their grip on the game, Isiah Thomas led the Kings on a quick run of their own. A pull-up three from Thomas made it only a 8 point game, but Philly closed out the quarter well, increasing their lead to 15. Yet again, the Sixers allowed Sacramento to get hot. Jimmer Fredette scored 7 straight for the Kings as they cut Philly's lead to 5 early in the 4th. Thad Young led another Sixers' run to put them back up by double-digits after a put-back dunk. The Kings would again make it a single digit game with under a minute but the Sixers would hold on and win it 113-104.
Thaddeus Young had a big second half offensively and he led the Sixers with 28 points and made all 9 free throws. Young contributed in every way possible, collecting 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 block, and a career-high 6 steals. Young is averaging 25.8 points, 8.7 boards, and 3 steals over the last 6 games. Turner played well and ended with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists. MCW had a quiet night, finishing with only 7 points and 5 assists, but also recorded 3 blocks. Wroten and Lavoy Allen added 21 and 10 respectfully off the bench. Philadelphia limited their turnovers to only 12 (compared to SAC's 22) and their reserves contributed 41 points.
Cousins finished with 33 points and 14 rebounds for the Kings, showing what a offensively gifted big man can do to this weak Sixers defense. Isiah Thomas hit 4 threes on his way to 23 points while also passing out 7 assists. Rudy Gay scored 18 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Fredette added 15 off the bench.
The 76ers have won three straight, all on the road. Although these road wins have all come against struggling teams (Nuggets, Lakers, Kings) you've got to start somewhere. Philadelphia (11-21) will end their road trip with a real test in Portland on Saturday. When the Blazers visited Philly earlier this season, the Sixers were blown out 139-105.
By: Matt Ryan