Grayson Allen Propels Suns Past 76ers
PHOENIX -- The Phoenix Suns needed to respond after a poor showing against the Milwaukee Bucks over the weekend.
Respond they did.
The Suns emerged victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers 115-102 on Wednesday night, pushing their record to 40-29 on the season.
Grayson Allen was the proponent of Phoenix's win, notching his third 30-point game of the year and fifth overall of his career. Tonight was his sixth time leading the Suns in scoring this season.
Phoenix trailed 23-21 after one quarter of play thanks to seven turnovers and a poor start shooting after missing their first nine shot attempts. The Suns took a slight lead of Philadelphia as the quarter began to wind down thanks to 23 total rebounds (and the Sixers missing all five three-point attempts) though Philadelphia regained control near the end.
Bol Bol made his first cameo after given the green light ahead of time (he was probable with an ankle sprain) to begin second quarter action. The Suns appeared to have found their footing, building their advantage up to 16 points in the late stages of the first half thanks to improved three-point shooting,
Philadelphia trailed 60-47 after 24 minutes of play thanks to a dismal 4-18 shooting from deep. Grayson Allen (13), Devin Booker (10) and Royce O'Neale were all in double digit scoring for Phoenix.
The third quarter saw Booker pick up a quick fourth foul, though Vogel allowed the star guard to remain in.
Kevin Durant - who got off to a slow start in the first half- reached the ten-point threshold in the third and officially passed Shaquille O'Neal for eighth on the NBA's all-time scoring list. You can read more about that below:
The Suns managed to keep their lead over Philadelphia entering the final frame in 90-66 fashion thanks to another ten-point effort from Allen.
Bol notched his tenth point in the early goings of the fourth quarter while fans in attendance will receive a free chicken sandwich after Mo Bamba missed two consecutive free throws at the line.
Allen's hot form continued, helping Phoenix reach the 100-point mark with just under seven minutes left. Despite the 76ers hitting their open looks, the Suns kept their foot on the gas just enough to allow Vogel to empty the bench with just under two minutes remaining.
Isaiah Thomas made his first appearance with the Suns after officially signing his ten-day contract earlier in the day.
Phoenix will return home tomorrow to host the Atlanta Hawks on the second night of a back-to-back.
