San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
SIXERS WIN IN EMBIID RETURN
Joel Embiid was happy to be back on the court even if he wasn’t thrilled with his game.
Embiid had 24 points and eight rebounds in his return to the lineup, and Tobias Harris scored 32 to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over the Minnesota Timberwolves 122-113 on Saturday night.
Embiid missed the previous 10 games due to a bone bruise in his left knee. The four-time All-star and MVP candidate entered averaging 29.9 points and 11.5 rebounds in 31 games this season.
Philadelphia fans were happy to see their favorite big man back in action, serenading a smiling Embiid with “M-V-P! M-V-P!” chants when he was shown on the big screen during warmups.
With his left knee heavily wrapped, Embiid moved well but his game wasn’t quite as sharp as it had been before he got injured March 12 at Washington. Embiid shot 6 of 14 from the field, but missed all four 3-point tries, and converted 12 of 17 free throws.
“It felt great,” he said. “Just trying to get my rhythm back. I’m going to blame the brace I was wearing. I just felt like I didn’t have my rhythm all game. It felt like I wasn’t smooth. I hate the brace.”
Ben Simmons added 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists for Philadelphia (34-15), which pulled even with idle Brooklyn for the best record in the Eastern Conference.
“We won the game, but I wasn’t thrilled how we played,” coach Doc Rivers said. “It was one of those sloppy, ugly games. We had so many chances to put the game away, but we refused to do that tonight.”
Karl-anthony Towns had 39 points, 14 rebounds and five assists for the Timberwolves, who have the worst record in the NBA at 12-38.
“He is unstoppable. Just give him the ball,” said teammate Anthony Edwards, who added 27 points.
Mavericks 109, Wizards 87: Luka Doncic scored 26 points and visiting Dallas beat Washington. Doncic shot 12 of 24 and had eight rebounds and six assists as Dallas won its fourth straight and completed a five-game trip at 4-1.
Knicks 125, Pistons 81:
Julius Randle scored 20 of his 29 points in the first quarter, and New York pounded host Detroit. Randle and Reggie Bullock, who had 22 points, had four 3-pointers apiece in the first as New York put it away early. The Knicks stopped a threegame slide, returning to .500 at 25-25.
Heat 115, Cavaliers 101:
Duncan Robinson scored 18 points on 6-for-9 shooting on 3-pointers and Miami continued its home dominance over Cleveland. Bam Adebayo finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Trevor Ariza scored 15 points and Jimmy Butler added 15 points and 11 assists as the Heat won their 20th straight against the Cavaliers in Miami.
Jazz 137, Magic 91: Donovan Mitchell scored 22 points as host Utah crushed Orlando.
Pacers 139, Spurs 133 (OT): Caris Levert scored 26 points and visiting Indiana snapped a three-game losing streak with an overtime victory over San Antonio. Aaron Holiday, Myles Turner and T.J. Mcconnell each had 18 points for Indiana.
Bucks 129, Kings 128: Jrue Hoiliday scored 33 points as visiting Milwaukee held off Sacramento. De’aaron Fox and Terence Davis had 27 points each for the Kings.
Trail Blazers 133, Thunder 85: CJ Mccollum scored 20 points in a rout of visiting Oklahoma City.
Notable
Gordon Hayward will miss at least a month after spraining his right foot during the Charlotte Hornets’ win Friday night over the Indiana Pacers.