Booker, Biyombo help Suns snap skid, beat 76ers 125-105
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul (3) and Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid have words during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 29 points, Bismack Biyombo added 17 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks, and the Phoenix Suns snapped a three-game losing streak by beating the Philadelphia 76ers 125-105 on Saturday night.
It was a badly needed win for the Suns, who had lost six of seven coming into the game to slide down to No. 5 in the Western Conference playoff race. The Sixers have lost three of their past four.
The game was tight through most of the first three quarters, but the Suns used a 26-11 run to turn a tied game into a 15-point advantage early in the fourth quarter. Phoenix got good minutes from most of their bench players, particularly Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren.
Warren finished with 16 points, while Ross had 15. Booker shot 9 of 18 from the field and hit all nine of his free throws.
The Suns won despite a huge game from Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey, who finished with 37 points on 14-of-19 shooting, including 7 of 11 from 3-point range. Joel Embiid added 28 points and 10 rebounds.
Both teams were missing key pieces. The Suns were without Deandre Ayton (hip) and Kevin Durant (ankle), while the 76ers didn't have James Harden (achilles).
The Suns had a 58-53 halftime lead. Maxey led all scorers with 21 points before the break, while Booker had 18 for the Suns.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Jalen McDaniels drives against Phoenix Suns center Jock Landale (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
HOT BOOK
Booker is on one of the best scoring streaks of his career. He came into Saturday's game averaging 33.8 points on 58.5% shooting over his past 11 games.
TIP-INS
76ers: Harden missed his third straight game and fourth of the past five. The veteran leads the NBA in assists per game.
Philadelphia 76ers forward Jalen McDaniels (7) drives past Phoenix Suns forward Torrey Craig (0) and guard Landry Shamet during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri
Suns: Ayton missed his fourth straight game. Durant has played in just three games since coming to the Suns in a trade-deadline deal in mid-February ... Booker scored 13 points in the first quarter. ... Hosted a 62nd straight sellout crowd. ... Biyombo had a season-high eight offensive rebounds.
UP NEXT
76ers: Travel to face Denver on Monday.
Suns: Travel to face Utah on Monday.
