NBA Game Summary - Phoenix at Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Isaiah Thomas posted 23 points and eight assists off the bench as the Phoenix Suns pummeled the Philadelphia 76ers, 122-96.
Thomas was one of eight Suns to reach double figures, as they improved to 3-1 on a six-game road trip. One of those players was Eric Bledsoe, who backed up his controversial comments from earlier this week with a 13-point, 7-assist performance.
Bledsoe said in a radio interview leading up to the game that the 76ers would lose a seven-game series to his alma mater and current No. 1 team in college basketball, Kentucky. The comments sparked endless debates on social media and prompted a number of media outlets to weigh in on the subject.
One Las Vegas sportsbook set the spread for the hypothetical game with Philadelphia as 17-point favorites.
Regardless, the Sixers failed to make Bledsoe eat his words and fell to 0-12 after yet another embarrassing loss. Three more losses and they'll match the franchise and NBA record for worst start to a season, set in 1972-73.
"We understand that we need to win," Sixers coach Brett Brown said.
Michael Carter-Williams scored 18 points and K.J. McDaniels had 17 off the bench.
Nerlens Noel fouled Bledsoe hard on the game's first possession, drawing a technical foul. The Sixers came out with a lot of energy and led 16-7 at the first timeout.
"I don't know what message you're going to send," Suns coach Jeff Hornacek said. "So you fouled him hard. Big deal."
Phoenix absorbed the early blow and came out of the huddle on a 10-2 run. McDaniels hit a 3 and Alexey Shved connected on a pair of them, and the Sixers led 27-26 after one.
The second quarter belonged to Thomas and Gerald Green, who scored 14 between them in just over three minutes to begin the period. The Suns used that run to go back in front.
Thomas and Green combined for 28 points in the first half on 10 shots. The duo hit a perfect 10-for-10 from the floor, with Thomas also converting all five of his free throw attempts.
Phoenix won the second by 26 points and led 67-44 at halftime.
The Sixers never threatened in the second half, never getting closer than 21 points.