76ers grab 2-1 lead over Hawks
Nuggets on brink of ouster vs. Phoenix
ATLANTA — Joel Embiid scored 27 points and the Philadelphia 76ers rode a dominant third quarter to a 127-111 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night and a 2-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Embiid, playing with a cartilage tear in his right knee, added nine rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots.
Tobias Harris had 22 points and Ben Simmons added 18 to help the 76ers end Atlanta’s streak of 13 home wins. The 76ers have taken the series lead with back-to-back wins.
The 76ers played up to their No. 1 seed, taking a lead of 22 points and keeping the advantage in double figures most of the second half. The Hawks played from behind after their last lead at 11-10.
Trae Young led Atlanta with 28 points. John Collins had 23 and Bogdan Bogdanovic 19.
Game 4 is Monday night in Atlanta.
SUNS 116, NUGGETS 102: In Denver, Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns spoiled Nikola Jokic’s MVP celebration with a victory in Game 3 that put “The Joker” and the rest of the reeling Nuggets on the brink of a quick second-round exit.
Booker scored 28 points and teamed with Chris Paul to lead a steady offensive onslaught that countered Jokic’s triple-double of 32 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.
With their sixth straight victory, the second-seeded Suns took a 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is Sunday at Ball Arena. 3-Point Goals—Phoenix 12-26 (Crowder 4-6, Paul 2-3, Booker 2-7, Craig 1-2, Payne 1-2, Bridges 1-3), Denver 14-41 (Porter Jr. 4-7, Morris 3-5, Campazzo 2-4, Barton 2-7, Rivers 1-4, Jokic 1-6, Green 0-2, Millsap 0-2, Gordon 0-3). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Phoenix 38 (Ayton 15), Denver 46 (Jokic 20). Assists—Phoenix 26 (Paul 8), Denver 21 (Jokic 10). Total Fouls—Phoenix 13, Denver 21. A—18,277 (19,520)
Notes
RAPTORS: The shoulder injury that ended Toronto forward Pascal Siakam’s season early will likely force him to miss the start of next season as well.
The Raptors said Friday that the former New Mexico State star had surgery last week to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, with an anticipated recovery and rehabilitation time of five months. That timetable, if precise, would mean Siakam can play again in early November — about two weeks after the NBA plans to open the 2021-22 season.
Siakam was hurt in a game May 8 against Memphis, two days after he tied a career best by scoring 44 points against Washington.