76ers 109, Wizards 102
WASHINGTON -- Thaddeus Young scored 29 points and Spencer Hawes had 16 points and 14 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers pulled off another early season stunner with a 109-102 comeback win over the Washington Wizards on Friday night.
Evan Turner had 23 points and rookie Michael Carter-Williams scored 14 points, two of six 76ers (2-0) to score in double figures. After rallying to shock the two-time defending NBA champion Miami Heat on Wednesday, Philadelphia triumphed despite trailing by 14 points in the first half -- 54-44 at halftime and 85-78 with 8:50 remaining in Washington's home opener.
Carter-Williams' missed his opening five shots, but his 3-pointer gave Philadelphia its first lead at 92-89 with 6:28 left. The 76ers 23-7 run extended their advantage to 101-92.
John Wall scored 21 of his 26 in the first half, and Trevor Ariza had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Wizards, who lost at Detroit on Wednesday.
Martell Webster had 13 points and his 3-pointer pulled Washington closer at 105-102. Young countered with a short bank shot and after a Wizards turnover, Hawes added a layup.
Marcin Gorat scored 12 points in his second game for Washington since acquired in a preseason trade with Phoenix. Gortat started in place of Nene (strained calf).
Tony Wroten and Lavoy Allen each had 10 points for Philadelphia. The 76ers missed their first 10 3-point attempts and struggled from long range throughout, but shot 51.1 percent from the field thanks to 74 points in the paint.
The Wizards led 62-50 with 8:25 remaining in the third quarter, but the fast-breaking 76ers rallied back, tying the game at 72-72 on Darius Morris' driving layup with 1:22 remaining in the third.
Coming off Washington's opening setback and following Carter-Williams starry debut, Wall immediately attacked the rookie from all angles. Most surprising, the Wizards' point guard scored early from the outside including two 3-pointers in the first quarter. He went 6 for 6 in the first quarter for 15 points and made his first seven attempts overall, frequently beating his chest and talking to Carter-Williams following scores.
Even though Carter-Williams didn't come close to duplicating his opening performance with 22 points, 12 assists and nine steals, the rookie's side picked up the win.
Wall finished 10 of 19 from the field while Carter-Williams went 6 of 15 before the crowd of 17,160.
NOTES: Nene was injured during Wednesday's loss at Detroit. The Brazilian big man warmed up but could not go. ... The Wizards continue to play without first-round draft pick Otto Porter (hip flexor). The former Georgetown standout missed the entire preseason. ... Philadelphia entered the game having won seven of nine against the Wizards. In the previous 10 games against Philadelphia, Washington had not scored more than 97 points. ... 76ers rookie Hollis Thompson made his NBA debut in the same building he played in on the college level. Thompson left Georgetown as a junior after the 2011-12 season and spent last season in the NBA's D-League. ... Philadelphia plays host to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Washington travels to face Miami on Sunday.
