Embiid makes closing argument for MVP

Joel Embiid all but wrapped up the NBA scoring title, scoring 41 points while collecting 20 rebounds and dishing out four assists to lead the 76ers to a 133-120 victory Saturday over the Pacers.

“I’ve always said that every single night, I want to dominate,” Embiid said. “If you are dominating, things can show up in a lot of different ways — whether it is offensively or defensively. Sometimes, the numbers don’t show it. But it’s good, I guess.”

Embiid is now averaging 30.6 points for the season, which is just ahead of LeBron James’ 30.3-point-per-game clip for the Lakers and Kevin Durant’s 30.1 average for the Nets.

But neither James nor Durant will play enough games to qualify for the statistical title; in an 82-game season, 58 games played is the minimum.

Embiid also has been considered one of main contenders for league MVP, along with Antetokounmpo and the Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic. Saturday’s game was Embiid’s 13th scoring 40 or more points.

Auto: Ferrari versus Red Bull battle is shaping up as the likely scenario on Sunday at the first Australian Grand Prix since the pandemic began in 2020. Charles Leclerc claimed Ferrari’s first pole position at the revamped Albert Park circuit since 2007 with a decisive final lap of 1 minute, 17.868 seconds in Melbourne on Saturday. But running close behind were the Red Bulls of world champion Max Verstappen, who qualified .286 seconds behind, and Sergio Perez, who posted the third quickest time.

NHL: Islanders forward Casey Cizikas has been suspended for one game without pay for boarding Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith, the NHL announced . ... Nico Hischier and Pavel Zacha scored 10 seconds apart in the third period, and the Devils beat the Stars 3-1. Ty Smith also scored in the third for the Devils, who had dropped five in a row. Nico Daws made 27 saves for the Devils.