Sixers fans should be celebrating how well their team played against the Western Conference leading Suns Friday night. Fans should be inspired by the fact that the Sixers were able to run up and down the court with the Suns, going blow for blow.

For the first time this season, fans should be able to look at the schedule and pencil in a few more wins than expected.

They can’t.

The Sixers perimeter defense has been that bad.

Philadelphia blew a 12-point halftime lead thanks to its awful defense above the arc which allowed the Suns to connect on 50 percent of its three-point attempts in a 119-115 comeback win.

The Suns were 15-from-30 from beyond the arc with many of the threes coming uncontested. Some of the credit has to go to point guard Steve Nash who was impressive with 20 assists. But that doesn’t explain allowing reserve Jared Dudley to hit on 4-of-5 from downtown. Dudley had it just four threes all season until Monday.

To the Sixers credit they were able to keep the Pistons and Nets in check from deep, but the quality teams have exposed their brand of defense The Magic did it. The Celtics did it. The Suns did it.

The Sixers are now 3-4, still looking for a win against a quality opponent. They travel to New Jersey on Wednesday with a good shot to even their record. However it won’t mean anything until the perimeter defense improves.