In addition to being a free-throw machine and a poor shooter, Bismack Biyombo is also undersized defensively against most opposing postmen. The contrast is that he plays really hard.
And on Saturday night, the Phoenix Suns really needed that. Devin Booker scored 29 points, Biyombo had 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five blocks, and the Phoenix Suns defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 125-105 to end a three-game losing run.
The Suns, who had lost six of their previous seven games and dropped to No. 5 in the Western Conference playoff race, really needed the victory. Three of their last four losses have come for the Sixers.
Starting in place of the injured Deandre Ayton, Biyombo was a force on both ends of the floor, scoring inside the arc for the Sixers’ star Joel Embiid on offense and making life tough for him on defense. His never-ending enthusiasm helped the Suns, especially following a discouraging loss to the Kings the previous evening.
Phoenix Suns’ Booker Stole The Limelight
The Suns utilized a 26-11 run to transform a tied game into a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter after the game remained close for the majority of the first three quarters. Most of Phoenix’s bench players had significant action, including Terrence Ross and T.J. Warren. Ross got 15 points, while Warren ended with 16. Suns coach Monty Williams stated, “Our bench production—it was tremendous. We had to work really hard.”
Booker made 9 of 18 field goal attempts and made all 9 of his free throws.
Tyrese Maxey of the Sixers had a great game, scoring 37 points on 14 of 19 shots (including 7 of 11 from 3-point range), yet the Suns still prevailed. In addition, Embiid had 10 rebounds and 28 points.