Sixers Beat Suns In Phoenix For First Time In Six Years 119-114

Posted by Jeff Sack under Main

Memo to Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr; you might want to start renewing your old broadcasting contacts. Andre Iguodala scored 32 points, Andre Miller had a double-double, and the Phoenix Suns are now 2-4 in the Shaq-era as they lost to the Philadelphia 76ers in front of a Phoenix crowd 119-14. It was the first victory for Philadelphia in Phoenix in six years.

Phoenix rookie General Manager Steve Kerr went right from the hardwood to the broadcast booth after his playing days were over. Kerr was the epitome of a?journeyman player, who had a nice outside shot and little?else.?However he had the good fortune of being in the right place at the right time, and won championship rings with the Bulls and the Spurs. Kerr became a good analyst on NBA broadcasts, usually making relevant points, and adding to the broadcasts. For what ever reason someone in the Phoenix Suns hierarchy saw something in Kerr that made them think that Kerr could make the transition just as easily to?a front office position as he did to broadcasting. Kerr was handed one of the best rosters in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns, and then? he broke the “Cardinal Rule Of Sports.”? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kerr took the team with the best record in the Western Conference at the time, and broke it up, sending Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for Shaquille O’Neal. I was against this trade when I first reported the initial rumors, and still am against it as I write this. Hopefully for Kerr’s sake his instincts are better than mine.

The Sixers came out smoking while the Suns came out looking lost as Philadelphia grabbed a 28-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. Phoenix got their act together in the second quarter and the two teams were deadlocked at 54-54 when the game reached the half. Philadelphia jumped out to a 10 point lead as Iguodala hit a trey to make it 74-64 with 4:52 left in the third quarter, but the Suns rallied back and trailed by just two points heading into the final 12 minutes of play 83-81. The lead was back up to 10 again as Iguodala slammed one through the cylinder with 7:47 remaining in the game and the Sixers ahead 93-83.? Phoenix would get as close as three points several times in the last minute of play, but could get no closer.

Philadelphia had six players score in double figures as they shot a scorching 56.7% from the floor for the game (51-90.)Iguodala scored 32 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 1 block in the victory. Andre Miller scored 25 points, 12 assists, 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, Willie Green scored 17 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal. Reggie Evans recorded a double-double, 13 points, 13 boards, 4 steals, 2 assists, one of the fine young up and coming point guards in the Association Louis Williams came off the bench and scored 13 points, 3 rebounds. Thaddeus Young scored 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals.

Phoenix was led by Amare Stoudemire who recorded a double-double, 26 points, 1 assist, 1 block.?Leandro Barbosa scored 22 points, 1 assist, 1 steal, Steve Nash also registered a double-double, as he scored 21 points, 11 assists, 3 rebounds. Boris Diaw scored 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, Raja Bell scored 12 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds. Philadelphia with the win improves to 27-33, Phoenix is now 39-20.

Updates, Fresh From the Oven, Straight to Your Inbox