Sixers stop Bucks; Celtics still on a roll
Joel Embiid had 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists and the shorthanded Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 13-point deficit to beat the Milwaukee Bucks, 110-102, on Friday night.
Embiid, who averaged 40 points and 11 rebounds in his previous four games, had 19 points, eight rebounds and five assists in the second half after 76ers star guard Tyrese Maxey left just before halftime with a left foot injury.
Maxey had 24 points, five assists and four rebounds before rolling his ankle while driving to the basket against Jevon Carter. Philadelphia said he will have an MRI Saturday.
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the Bucks with 25 points and 14 rebounds. However, his struggles from the free-throw line – he went 4 of 15 – were amplified with each attempt in the second half by a raucous Philadelphia crowd.
He was so frustrated by his performance, that after the game he went back onto the court to practice free throws and got into an argument with an arena worker who was preparing to do some work on the basket. Antetokounmpo shoved the worker’s ladder across the court in disgust.
Celtics 117, Pelicans 109 Jaylen Brown had 27 points and 10 rebounds, Derrick White highlighted a 26-point performance with six threepointers and Boston beat New Orleans for its ninth straight victory.
Jayson Tatum had 19 points and 10 assists for the Celtics, who combined to make 20 threes and shot 48.2 percent (41 of 85) overall. Al Horford was 4 of 5 from deep and scored 18 points.
Brandon Ingram hit seasonhigh five threes and scored 25 points for New Orleans, which was playing without star power forward Zion Williamson (bruised right foot) for a third straight game.
Lakers 128, Pistons 121 Anthony Davis had 38 points and 16 rebounds, Lonnie Walker added 17 points and Los Angeles held off Detroit to win consecutive games for only the second time this season.
LeBron James missed his third straight game with a left groin strain for the Lakers, unable to return even after his struggling team had the previous four days off. His teammates still earned Los Angeles’ fourth victory of a rough season with a secondhalf surge catalyzed by Austin Reaves, who scored 11 of his 16 points after halftime.
Russell Westbrook had 10 points and 12 assists for the Lakers, who had lost five straight before back-to-back victories over Brooklyn and Detroit.
Warriors 111, Knicks 101 Stephen Curry had 24 points, 10 assists and six rebounds, Andrew Wiggins added 20 points with seven rebounds and Golden State beat New York.
Klay Thompson had 20 points with four three-pointers and showed signs of finding his shooting groove. He hit 4 of his first 6 shots with three threes for 11 early points.
OTHER RESULTS: JAZZ 134, SUNS 133; MAVERICKS 129, NUGGETS 99; CAVALIERS 132, HORNETS 122, 2OT; WIZARDS 107, HEAT 106, OT; GRIZZLIES 121, THUNDER 110; PACERS 99, ROCKETS 91; MAGIC 108, BULLS 107