76ers Overcome Slow Start, Roll Past Warriors
OAKLAND (CBS/AP) -- Andre Iguodala had 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Lou Williams added 23 points off the bench, and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame a sluggish start to beat the Golden State Warriors 107-79 on Saturday night.
One night after blowing a 13-point lead in a loss to Utah, Philadelphia fell behind by that same margin before outscoring the Warriors 69-41 over the second and third quarters.
Spencer Hawes had 14 points and 12 rebounds for the 76ers, who have one more stop left on their season-opening, five-game road trip — the longest trip to start a season in franchise history.
Stephen Curry, back in the lineup after a one-game absence due to a sprained ankle, scored 21 points for Golden State, which played without guard Monta Ellis.
The Sixers were playing for the second straight night while the Warriors hadn't played since Wednesday. It showed early, as Golden State built a lead midway through the first quarter.
Philadelphia coach Doug Collins tweaked his lineup slightly after that, getting Williams on the court in place of starting guard Jodie Meeks.
Williams, who missed a potential tying shot in the final seconds against Utah, immediately gave the Sixers a spark and finished 7 of 11 from the floor, 4 for 4 on 3-pointers.
Philadelphia, which had lost five of its previous six in Oracle Arena, built a 20-point lead early in the third quarter, then coasted the rest of the way.
Ellis, who left the team earlier in the week following the death of his grandmother, was in Mississippi for the funeral. It's uncertain whether he'll return in time for Monday's game in Phoenix.
Klay Thompson started in place of Ellis and scored three points with three assists.
Curry did not play in Wednesday's win over the New York Knicks after spraining his right ankle two nights earlier, the same ankle he had surgery on in May.
The Warriors held Curry out of practice this week then cleared him to play against the Sixers.
Both decisions paid off nicely for Golden State.
Curry looked strong following the brief layoff and moved around without any noticeable restrictions. He also scored 10 points in the first quarter, including a 3-pointer with 1.4 seconds left to give the Warriors a 25-19 lead.
Philadelphia, which missed 11 of its first 14 shots while settling for mid-range jumpers, attacked Golden State's defense more aggressively in the second and scored 31 points to take control.
Less than 24 hours after their meltdown against the Jazz, Philadelphia didn't let up against Golden State and led by as much as 66-45 midway through the third quarter.
The Warriors, who didn't attempt a free throw until 2 1/2 minutes into the second half, played so sluggishly after their quick start that new owner Joe Lacob slumped in his courtside chair, arms folded in frustration.
Golden State managed just 12 points in the third and trailed 72-54 going into the final period.
Notes: It was the first time since Oct. 3, 2010, that Golden State did not take a free throw in the first half. ... The Warriors play seven of their next 10 on the road, beginning with a three-game trip to Phoenix, San Antonio and Los Angeles to face the Lakers.
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