Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper each scored 22 points as the San Antonio Spurs wrapped up a five-game road trip by throttling the Philadelphia 76ers 131-91 on Tuesday.
After absorbing a 25-point loss against the New York Knicks on Sunday, San Antonio shot 55.7% from the floor in this one to win for the 12th time in 13 games. Eight Spurs scored in double figures, including Stephon Castle (15 points, 10 assists) and Victor Wembanyama (10 points, eight rebounds, six blocks, three steals).
Vassell finished 6 of 8 from long range for San Antonio, which made 18 of 44 3-pointers (40.9%) on the night. Philadelphia was 10 of 42 from outside the arc as part of a 34.7% shooting night overall.
Tyrese Maxey scored 21 points and Jabari Walker had 20 to pace Philadelphia, which played without Joel Embiid (oblique), Paul George (suspension) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (illness). VJ Edgecombe injured his back on the final play of the first half and did not return.
San Antonio scored the first nine points of the game, but Philadelphia eventually caught up at 22-22. However, the Spurs outscored the Sixers 10-3 down the stretch in the first quarter — capped by a Harper 3-pointer — to lead 32-25 after one period.
Midway through the second quarter, Julian Champagnie knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Spurs ahead 47-36. The visitors led by double figures the rest of the game.
Champagnie’s bucket was part of a 16-0 run that put San Antonio ahead 60-36. Vassell scored seven points during that burst before Carter Bryant’s 3-pointer put an exclamation point on the run.
Vassell finished with 13 points in the second quarter as the Spurs went into the locker room in front 78-53.
San Antonio didn’t take its foot off the gas in the second half, opening the third quarter on a 20-4 push. De’Aaron Fox’s layup made it 98-57, but the Spurs kept pushing and led 113-64 after three quarters.
The Sixers shot just 4 of 22 from the field and were outscored 35-11 in the third quarter.
Philadelphia opened the fourth quarter on a 14-2 run before San Antonio cruised to the finish line.
