Perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers, even with Andre Iguodala out of the starting lineup, are gelling at the right time of the season as they came to Phoenix to take on the struggling Suns, losers of four straight prior to Wednesday’s game.
A name that most Eastern conference teams have had to deal with, much to their chagrin, is Jrue Holiday. The second-year point guard from UCLA has been the source of inspiration for the recent improvement in Philadelphia’s play on the court.
As it would turn out Wednesday at US Airways Center, Holiday was one of seven 76ers who would score in double-digits, allowing Philadelphia to dispose of Phoenix 123-110.
Both teams were on fire in the first half, with the Suns outscoring the 76ers 35-33 while Philadelphia outscored Phoenix by three. The Sixers would take a 66-65 edge into their locker room at halftime.
Vince Carter would drain a 15-footer to put Phoenix ahead 84-81 wth 3:15 left in the third quarter. But Holiday made back-to-back baskets while Spencer Hawes made a jumper and Andres Nocioni converted a three-point play, sparking an 11-2 run and allowing Philadelphia to take a 92-86 lead going into the fourth.
The Suns would get to within 110-105 on a Steve Nash trey with 3:36 left in the game and would still trail 114-107 when Evan Turner drained a 3 from the left wing with 1:42 remaining, giving Philadelphia a 10-point lead and the game.
Seven 76ers scored in double-digits, led by Holiday with 25 points, along with 3 rebounds and 7 assists while Turner came off the bench to add 23 with 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals. Nocioni poured in 22 with 12 rebounds and 2 assists while Elton Brand chipped in 16 with 7 rebounds, a steal and a block. Thaddeus Young contributed 15 with 8 rebounds, an assist and a steal while Hawes notched a double-double, scoring 10 with 11 rebounds.
The Suns were led by Nash with 23 points (including three 3-pointers), along with 5 rebounds and 15 assists while Carter added 18 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a block. Grant Hill chipped in 17 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal while Mickael Pietrus came off the bench to score 15 (including three treys) with 2 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks.
Both teams will be on the court Friday night when Philadelphia (13-19) makes the short flight to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers while Phoenix (13-17) looks to end their five-game losing streak, hosting the Detroit Pistons.


December 30th, 2010
Stephen Rhodes
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