Embiid leads 76ers past Nets as Philly moves into 1st in East

Joel Embiid had 39 points and 13 rebounds and the host Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn 123117 on Wednesday night in an anticipated matchup that fizzled with the Nets missing their biggest stars.

The Sixers (38-17) moved into first place in the Eastern Conference in a game played without James Harden, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge. With the Nets’ standouts hurt or just rested, the game had more of a preseason feel than a possible preview of the conference final this summer.

No matter, the Sixers moved back atop the standings and have the No. 1 seed in sight with just 17 games left this season.

Bucks 130, Timberwolves

● 105: Khris Middleton had 27 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in three quarters, as Milwaukee breezed to a victory over host Minnesota.

Brook Lopez added 18 points and eight rebounds, Jrue Holiday pitched in 15 points and three steals, and the

Bucks built a lead as big as 30 points early in the fourth quarter on the way to their second consecutive blowout. After losing six of nine games, the

Bucks beat Orlando 12487 on Sunday.

The Bucks played without the two-time reigning NBA Most Valuable Player award winner, Giannis Antetokoumpo, because of left knee soreness for the sixth consecutive game.

Cavaliers 103, Hornets ● 90: Taurean Prince scored a season-high 25 points with six threepointers, Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds in his first action since March 26 andCleveland handed Charlotte its their third consecutive loss at home. Kevin Love added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who snapped a twogame skid.