76ers win key Eastern matchup
Joel Embiid dominated with 40 points and 10 rebounds and the 76ers overcame DeMar DeRozan’s season-high, 45point game to beat the Bulls 119-108 on Sunday in Chicago.
The 76ers won the matchup between two of the Eastern Conference’s top teams after letting a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter shrink to four.
They hung on down the stretch to beat the Bulls for the 10th straight time.
Embiid simply did what he wanted, hitting 14 of 23 shots.
Tobias Harris added 23 points, and Tyrese Maxey had 16, helping the Sixers shake off losses against Washington and Dallas to win for the sixth time in eight games.
DeRozan carried Chicago with Zach LaVine (back spasms) and guard Coby White (strained right adductor) missing their second consecutive games.
“We know we’re gonna get everybody back in due time,” DeRozan said. “Until then, we’re just trying to figure it out.”
Cavaliers 98, Pacers 85: Cedi Osman scored 22 points, and Kevin Love had 19 and Cleveland rallied from 20 down to beat visiting Indiana, shortly after agreeing to acquire shooting guard Caris LeVert from the Pacers. LeVert will be acquired for injured guard Ricky Rubio — and his expiring $17.8 million contract — and three draft picks, a person familiar with the trade said. Cleveland also will receive a 2022 second-round pick.
Nuggets 124, Nets 104: Nikola Jokic had 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for his NBA-leading 14th triple-double of the season and host Denver handed Brooklyn its eighth straight loss.
Mavericks 103, Hawks 94: Luka Doncic had a triple-double with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists, Jalen Brunson scored 22 points and host Dallas beat Atlanta.
Celtics 116, Magic 83: Jaylen Brown scored 26 points and host Boston beat NBA-worst Orlando for its season-best fifth straight win.
Timberwolves 118, Pistons 105: Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Minnesota beat visiting Detroit for its fourth straight victory.
Pelicans 120, Rockets 107: Brandon Ingram scored 33 points and tied a career high with 12 assists in New Orleans’ victory over host Houston.