76ers’ victory inches them close to playoffs
Ben Simmons had a triple-double, Joel Embiid dazzled while getting the better of Karl-Anthony Towns, and the Philadelphia 76ers moved to the doorstep of 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, 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 (4230) won their sixth straight game, ensured a winning season and moved within one win or a Detroit loss from their first postseason appearance since 2012.
Andrew Wiggins scored 16 points, and Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds. ROCKETS 114, PELICANS 91 >> James Harden scored 27 points in three quarters for Houston, which routed New Orleans Pelicans for its eighth straight victory.
The NBA-leading Rockets improved to 59-14 to overtake the 1993-94 championship team for most wins in franchise history.
Anthony Davis, who also sat out the fourth quarter with the game out of reach, led New Orleans with 25 points.
HORNETS 102, MAVERICKS 98 >> Dwight Howard had 23 rebounds and 18 points to help Charlotte hold off Dallas for it third straight victory.
LAKERS 100, GRIZZLIES 93 >> Kyle Kuzma scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter to help Los Angeles overcome a slow start, beat Memphis and end a fourgame losing streak. PISTONS 117, BULLS 95 >> Anthony Tolliver scored 25 points, and Detroit made 13 3-pointers in the first half in its rout of Chicago.
MAGIC 105, SUNS 99 >> Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 11 rebounds in Orlando’s victory over Phoenix, which has lost 26 of 28.