PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Isaiah Thomas scored 23 points and Markieff Morris had 18 to lead the Phoenix Suns past the winless Philadelphia 76ers 122-96 last night.
The Sixers have lost their first 12 games and are just six losses shy of matching the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets for worst start in NBA history. Philadelphia is also three away from matching the 1972-73 team for worst start (0-15) in franchise history and could challenge that squad for the worst 82-game season (9-73) in NBA history.
The Sixers actually led 27-26 at the end of the first quarter until the Suns rolled toward the rout.
The Suns shot 69 per cent in the first half and easily shook off the early challenge to win their third straight game.
Michael Carter-Williams led the Sixers with 18 points.
Wizards 91, Cavaliers 78
WASHINGTON (AP) – John Wall took over in the third quarter and finished 28 points, seven assists and six rebounds as Washington knocked LeBron James and Cleveland back below .500 with the Cavaliers’ third straight loss.
Resuming a rivalry that peaked last decade when the Wizards and James’ Cavaliers met three consecutive years in the playoffs – it was so intense that both Jay-Z and Soulja Boy got involved – the Wizards grabbed a majority of the 50-50 rebounds and capitalised on the defensive woes that have hurt Cleveland.
James scored 22 points on eight-for-21 shooting, but Cleveland committed 19 turnovers, shot 36 per cent and scored a season-low in points. James was never below .500 more than ten games into a season during his four seasons with the Miami Heat, but he and the Cavaliers are now 5-6.
Other scores:
Magic 105, Hornets 100
Hawks 99, Pistons 89
Raptors 124, Bucks 83
Spurs 121, Timberwolves 92
Grizzlies 117, Celtics 100
Nets 94, Thunder 92
Mavericks 140, Lakers 106
Warriors 101, Jazz 88
Trail Blazers 105, Bulls 87
Nuggets 117, Pelicans 97
