76ers beat Hornets, 88-70

The New Orleans Hornets started the season as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winners of 11 of their first 12 games.

Since then, they've been mediocre.

Sunday afternoon against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, they were downright putrid.

The Hornets converted just 1-of-21 shots from the field during the second quarter and went a span of 8 minutes and 14 seconds without a field goal, paving the way to an easy win for the Sixers, 88-70.

Early in the third quarter, New Orleans was shooting 7-for-46 from the floor, a paltry 15.2 percent.

It was the fifth win in seven games for the Sixers, and the sixth in the past seven at home. Their record improved to 8-15.

New Orleans lost for the eighth time in 11 games in dropping to 14-9.

With 1:21 left in the first quarter, Hornets guard Marcus Thornton drained a 17-footer to cut the Sixers lead to 19-12. The next time New Orleans made a field goal, there was 5:07 left before halftime and the Sixers had already forged ahead by 36-16.

The Sixers were led by Andre Iguodala, who collected 16 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes. Elton Brand posted his eighth double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds and Lou Williams came off the bench for 17 points.

New Orleans was paced by Chris Paul, who was the only Hornet player in double figures with 25. He also had three of New Orleans four assists in the game.