Simmons, Embiid strong
Sixers down T-Wolves, close in on elusive playoff spot
PHILADELPHIA — Ben Simmons had a triple-double, Joel Embiid dazzled while getting the better of Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Philadelphia 76ers inched closer to their first playoff berth in six years with a 120-108 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night.
Simmons had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists for the 10th triple-double of his rookie season. Embiid scored 19 points, and had a left-handed block of Towns, a 3-pointer and a windmill dunk in the Sixers’ 20-4 run to start the third quarter.
Dario Saric added 18 points as the Sixers (42-30) won their sixth straight game, ensured a winning season and moved within one win or Detroit loss from their first postseason appearance since 2012.
Andrew Wiggins scored 16 points, and Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds, but shot just 3 of 15 from the field for Minnesota as its two-game winning streak was snapped.
Simmons secured his triple-double with 3:19 left in the third quarter when he put back his own miss for his 10th point. It was part of a dominating 39-19 period for the Sixers that broke open a close game.
Embiid provided the biggest roar when his acrobatic, breakaway dunk made it 79-56 with 6:39 left. After Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau called a timeout, Embiid egged on the crowd by raising his arms and screaming.
Coach Brett Brown was forced to reinsert Simmons and Embiid with 2:39 left after the Wolves’ reserves cut a 29-point deficit to 111-101.
ROCKETS 114, PELICANS 91: In Houston, James Harden scored 27 points in three quarters and the Rockets routed New Orleans for their eighth straight victory.
The NBA-leading Rockets improved to 59-14 to overtake the 1993-94 championship team for the most wins in franchise history.
Houston never trailed and already had a huge lead to start the fourth before scoring seven straight points early in the period to make it 92-63 with 10 minutes remaining. .
LAKERS 100, GRIZZLIES 93: In Memphis, Tenn., Kyle Kuzma scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and had 10 rebounds, and Los Angeles overcame a slow start to beat the Grizzlies.
Julius Randle added 20 points and 11 rebounds to help the Lakers end a fourgame losing streak. Kentavious CaldwellPope scored 18 points, and Lonzo Ball had 12 points and 10 assists.
Andrew Harrison led the Grizzlies with 20 points and nine assists.
PISTONS 117, BULLS 95: In Detroit, Anthony Tolliver scored 25 points, and the Pistons made 13 3-pointers in the first half on their way to a victory over Chicago.
The Pistons have won three of four, the only loss in that span in overtime at Houston, but Detroit still trails Milwaukee by 5½ games for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Bulls have lost five straight. Andre Drummond had 15 points and 20 rebounds for Detroit. It was his 16th game this season with at least 20 rebounds and the 50th of his career.
HORNETS 102, MAVERICKS 98: In Dalllas, Dwight Howard had 23 rebounds and 18 points to cap an eventful four days and Charlotte held off the Mavericks for their third straight victory.
Howard had a career-high 30 rebounds and scored 32 points against Brooklyn on Wednesday night, then served a one-game suspension for his 16th technical foul of the season as Charlotte beat Memphis 140-79 on Thursday night.
MAGIC 105, SUNS 99: In Orlando, Fla., Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 11 rebounds to help the Magic hold off freefalling Phoenix.
Nikola Vucevic added 24 points and nine rebounds, and D.J. Augustin nearly had his first triple-double of the season with 15 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
The Magic had lost three consecutive games.
Phoenix has lost 11 straight and 26 of 28. Josh Jackson led the Suns with 18 points.