Oubre shows again that he belongs in victory over Suns
The Philadelphia 76ers needed a lift from a big man out of Kansas each time the undermanned Phoenix Suns made a run at the lead.
Joel Embiid?
Sure, the NBA MVP did his part with another double-double and even got to watch the fourth quarter from the bench.
But the former Jayhawk with the big buckets in this one — 17 points at the half — was Kelly Oubre Jr. The early surprise of the season, Oubre has done more than fit in with the Sixers, he found a way to stand out with his third 20-point game already.
“He's athletic and can put the ball on the floor and shoot,” Embiid said. “It's that simple.”
Embiid had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Oubre scored 25 points and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Phoenix Suns 112100 on Saturday for their fourth straight win.
With Bradley Beal (back spasms) and Devin Booker (sprained left ankle) sitting out, the Suns faltered in the fourth and lost their third straight game. Kevin Durant kept the Suns within striking range until late with 31 points. He made 12 of 14 free throws.
Tyrese Maxey overcame a slow start and had 22 points and 10 assists. Tobias Harris added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Sixers.
The Sixers will go as far as Embiid and Maxey, who turned 23 on Saturday, will take them and neither one could get going in the first half. They combined for just a 7 of 23 effort from the floor. NUGGETS 123, BULLS 111 » Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists, Michael Porter Jr. scored a season-best 27 and host Denver overcame the loss of point guard Jamal Murray to beat the Chicago. Aaron Gordon had 15 points and 12 rebounds for defending NBA champion Denver, which has won all four of its home games. Murray played the first 8:40 before leaving with right hamstring tightness. He finished with two points and two rebounds. Reggie Jackson, getting extended minutes in place of Murray, scored 16 off the bench, tying his season high.
TIMBERWOLVES 123, JAZZ 95 » Karl-Anthony Towns scored 15 of his seasonhigh 25 points in a dominant third-quarter stretch, and host Minnesota pulled away to defeat Utah. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 31 points: 19 in the first half and 12 in the fourth quarter. Rudy Gobert had 11 points and a team-best 10 rebounds against his former team for his fourth double-double in the first five games.
HAWKS 123, PELICANS 105 » Trae Young had 22 points and 12 assists, and visiting Atlanta defeated New Orleans.
ROCKETS 107, KINGS 89 » Dillon Brooks scored 12 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead host Houston past Sacramento.
HORNETS 125, PACERS 114 » Mark Williams scored 27 points and visiting Charlotte snapped a three-game losing streak to Indiana.
CELTICS 124, NETS 112 » Jayson Tatum scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead visiting Boston past Brooklyn. Tatum scored his 10,000th career point in the second quarter. The 25-yearold Tatum is the youngest player in franchise history to reach the milestone.