The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Phoenix Suns, 119-114, at Wells Fargo Center on Monday evening.
The 76ers (12-7) likely walked into Monday's home game feeling pretty good about themselves, and more specifically, their chances of cruising through an interconference contest against the struggling Suns (3-13), which had failed to win a road game in six tries. Philadelphia got an early wake-up call, as Phoenix jumped out to a 36-26 first-quarter lead. The visitors still held an advantage at halftime, albeit by just five points. The Sixers were able to eradicate their deficit in convincing fashion in the third and entered the final 12 minutes with a 92-86 edge. That would prove to be enough, although the Suns got as close 117-114 with 5.5 seconds remaining after a Mikal Bridges three-pointer. Phoenix kept the pressure on their hosts with a 50.6 percent success rate from the field, but they were outrebounded by a 53-31 margin.
Devin Booker paced the Suns with 37 points, a total he supplemented with eight assists and three rebounds. T.J. Warren followed with 21 points, four rebounds, four assists and one block. Deandre Ayton posted 17 points, nine rebounds, one assist and one steal. Bridges finished with 13 points, while Trevor Ariza filled out the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, five assists, three steals and one block. Richaun Holmes matched Ariza's point total while leading the bench.
Joel Embiid led the 76ers with a 33-point, 17-rebound double-double that also included one assist, three steals and one block. Ben Simmons had a near triple-double with 19 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and one steal. Mike Muscala matched Simmons' point total to lead the second unit. J.J. Redick poured in 17 points and added four rebounds and three assists. Jimmy Butler contributed 16 points, three rebounds, one assist and two steals.
The Suns remain on the road and visit the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday'night, while the Sixers remain home and face the New Orleans Pelicans on that same evening.
