76ers get past Jazz in OT as best clash
Joel Embiid had 40 points and 19 rebounds and hit a tying 3-pointer late in regulation, and Tobias Harris scored 11 of his 22 points in overtime to lead the 76ers past the Utah Jazz 131-123 in a matchup of the NBA’s top two teams in Philadelphia.
Ben Simmons added 17 points for the 76ers, who improved their Eastern Conference-leading record to 24-12.
Donovan Mitchell had 33 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the Jazz, who lost their second straight.
NETS 132, ROCKETS 114>>
James Harden had a triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists in the first meeting with his former Rockets teammates, and Brooklyn won easily in Houston, handing the Rockets their 13th straight loss. The Nets set a franchise record with their seventh straight road victory and have won 10 of their last 11 overall. It’s the longest skid for the Rockets, who had just eight players available because of injuries, since they dropped 15 in a row in 2001. They’ve had a tough time since Harden was traded Jan. 14 and haven’t won since Feb. 4.
PACERS 114, CAVALIERS 111>>
T.J. McConnell set an NBA record with nine steals in the first half and posted his second career tripledouble with 16 points, 13 assists and a franchisebest 10 steals, leading Indiana in Cleveland. McConnell also went 8 of 8 from the field in 36 minutes off the bench as Indiana rallied from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter and snapped Cleveland’s fourgame winning streak.
PISTONS 129, RAPTORS 105>> Wayne Ellington scored 25 points and Detroit beat virus-depleted Toronto in Tampa, Fla., to snap a three-game losing streak. Ellington was 8 of 11 from 3-point range and the Pistons were 20 for 41 overall from long range. Detroit’s backups had 56 points, with Rodney McGruder and Saben Lee each finishing with 20. Norman Powell had 36 points for Toronto, and Kyle Lowry added 21 points. The Raptors played without Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, three of their top four scorers, and reserves Malachi Flynn and Patrick McCaw because of the NBA’s health and safety protocols. Coach Nick Nurse and most of his staff also were held out. HORNETS 135, TIMBERWOLVES 102>> Terry Rozier scored 31 points and Gordon Hayward added 23 as Charlotte headed into the All-Star break after a convincing win in Minneapolis. Rozier was instrumental in helping the Hornets pull away in the third quarter. He hit three 3-pointers in a span of 1:29, the last of which pushed the lead to 79-65. Yet another 3 from Rozier capped an 18-0 run that made it 89-65. The Timberwolves have lost nine in a row and 13 of 14.
BULLS 128, PELICANS 124>> Zach LaVine scored 36 points as Chicago eked one out in New Orleans. Coby White added 25 points for Chicago.
HAWKS 115, MAGIC 112>> Trae Young scored 36 points for Atlanta in its victory in Orlando.
LAKERS SHORTHANDED>> LeBron James missed a game for the first time this season when the Los Angeles Lakers played at the Sacramento Kings in their final outing before the NBA All-Star break. James did not accompany the team on its flight to Sacramento after a 114-104 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, according to a team spokesperson.
He will still report to Atlanta this weekend to participate in his 17th straight AllStar Game, multiple sources reported. Heading into the Suns game, James was listed as probable with a left ankle sprain, an injury he suffered earlier in the season. He will receive treatment while he is in L.A., according to the team. L.A. was already short of players. as Anthony Davis (right leg) also was ruled out and Marc Gasol (health and safety protocols), Kyle Kuzma (bruised right heel) and Alex Caruso (neck spasms) were all on the injury report after the Suns game.