Chris Paul scored 28 points (15 on 5 3-pointers), and the Phoenix Suns beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-113.
Paul’s corner 3-pointer put the Suns ahead for good with 10:54 left in the fourth quarter.
The 76ers got within 95-94 on Danny Green’s pull-up jumper with 7:09 to play, but Jevon Carter answered with a corner 3-pointer, and the 76ers got no closer than 115-113. They had the ball down 3, but Joel Embiid missed a 67-foot 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have tied it.
During clutch time, the Suns outscored the 76ers 7-3. Devin Booker scored 6 of the Suns’ 7 on 2 for 2 shooting and 2 for 2 at the line. In the fourth quarter, Paul had 5 of his 8 assists, 4 with the game within 5 points.
For the 76ers, Embiid had 38 points (20 in the paint) and 17 rebounds. Dwight Howard had 7 points and 11 rebounds off the bench.
The 76ers forced 10 turnovers, about 4 fewer than usual for this many possessions. They outscored the Suns 48-30 in the paint. The 76ers’ starters were outscored 35-25 in 12 minutes together.