Simmons held but Sixers salute

BEN Simmons was kept quiet but Minnesota could not shut down returning Joel Embiid as Philadelphia topped the Timberwolves 118-112 in overtime yesterday.

Embiid, back after missing two games with back tightness, hit two free throws with 14.8 seconds remaining to force overtime.

He then scored seven points in the extra session, including a three-pointer that gave Philadelphia a seven-point lead in the final two minutes. He finished with 28 points.

J.J. Redick scored 24 points and was 11of-11 from the free throw line for the Sixers, who snapped a four-game losing streak.

Australian Simmons, the leading scorer in this year’s rookie class, was in danger of going a full 48 minutes without a point, but with 67 seconds to go, he cranked out a clutch jam to put the Sixers in front, 96-94.

He finished with seven points and eight assists.

Jimmy Butler led Minnesota with 38 points, including a pair of three-pointers in the final minute of regulation.

Embiid had the better of Karl-Anthony Towns as they battled down low all night. Towns had 17 points and 15 rebounds, his 22nd double-double of the season.

Kristaps Porzingis had 37 points and 11 rebounds as the New York Knicks recorded a 113-109 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Madison Square Garden.

LeBron James tied a career-high with 17 assists to go with 25 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 123-114 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

San Antonio Spurs welcomed back Kawhi Leonard for his season debut in the 95-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. AP