Embiid gives 76ers sixth straight win
Joel Embiid starred again with 38 points as the Philadelphia 76ers picked up a sixth straight win with a 118-109 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 76ers, third in the East just a place ahead of the Cavs, were in a close contest until the end when Tyrese Maxey sunk a three-pointer and Philadelphia put away five free throws in the final 51 seconds to secure the win.
That all came after Embiid was initially ejected after being called for his sixth foul for pushing off on Evan
Mobley with four minutes 12 seconds left on the clock.
But 76ers coach Doc Rivers challenged the call successfully and while he had to be careful for the remainder, Embiid helped steer his side to a significant victory.
Embiid, who also had 18 rebounds and four blocks, said he had been given the benefit of the doubt by the officials.
Embiid was supported by James Harden, who had 28 points, and Maxey, who put up 23.
The Boston Celtics meanwhile had their work cut out in Minneapolis against the Timberwolves, finally emerging with a 104-102 win.
Jaylen Brown put up 35 points and Jayson Tatum scored 22 with the latter making sure of the win with two free throws at the end.
Elsewhere, Steph Curry erupted for 50 points but could not prevent the Golden State Warriors falling 134126 to the Los Angeles Clippers. Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers scoring with 30 points.
The Miami Heat routed the Western Conference’s third-placed team, the Memphis Grizzlies, 138-119. Bam Adebayo scored 26 and Tyler Herro 24 for the Heat.
The injury-hit Los Angeles Lakers fell to a 114110 defeat to the Houston Rockets, the bottom team in the West, while the Dallas Mavericks, without their injured stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, won a scrappy game with the San Antonio Spurs 137-128.