By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Phoenix Suns waxed hot in the fourth quarter to take down Philadelphia 76ers, 116-113, in the 2020-2021 NBA Season on Wednesday night (Thursday in the Philippines) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Trailing 79-81, the Suns leaned on three-point conversions by Chris Paul and Jevon Carter for a 95-94 lead. It grew to 107-99 on outside baskets from Carter and twinners by Devin Booker.
The 76ers made its last push as it trimmed the deficit to 113-115 with 0.8 seconds left before Paul split his freebies by intentionally missing the second to seal the win.
Paul finished the match with 28 points and eight assists, while Booker and Mikal Bridges added 19 and 18 points, respectively, as the Suns stayed at second place in the West with 42-16 slate.
Chris Johnson tallied 15 points, DeAndre Ayton ended up with 10 markers, while Carter converted all of his nine markers in the fourth quarter for the streaking Suns.
Joel Embiid led the way with double-double 38 points and 17 rebounds, while Daniel Green and rookie Tyrese Maxey added 18 and 14, respectively, as the 76ers fell to 39-19.
Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers (27-31) bucked the absence of several key players as they cruised to a 122-116 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder (20-39).
Malcolm Brogdon tallied double-double 29 points and 15 rebounds, while Caris LeVert and Oshae Brisset added 28 and 23 markers, respectively, for the Pacers.
In other results, Toronto Raptors (25-34) edged Brooklyn Nets (39-20), 114-103; Washington Wizards upended Golden State Warriors (29-30), 118-114; and Cleveland Cavaliers (21-37) defeated Chicago Bulls (24-34), 121-105.
BOX SCORE:
PHOENIX 116 – Paul 28, Booker 19, Bridges 18, Johnson 15, Ayton 10, Carter 9, Saric 7, Craig 4, Crowder 3, Payne 3.
PHILADELPHIA 113 – Embiid 38, Green 18, Maxey 14, Korkmaz 12, Hill 11, Scott 8, Howard 7, Milton 5, Thybulle 0.
Quarterscores: 28-29, 54-54, 77-76, 116-113./ASC, WDJ