76ers roll as Embiid dazzles in his debut
Joel Embiid had trouble with his new mask. It didn’t slow him down.
Embiid’s playoff debut was a smashing success for Philadelphia on Thursday. The All-Star center returned from a 10-game absence by scoring 23 points, including a personal 7-0 run down the stretch as the 76ers beat host Miami 128-108. The 76ers, who outscored the Heat 32-14 in the fourth quarter, took a 2-1 lead in the series.
“I am just so proud of what he did,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said.
Embiid started the day doubtful, ended it dominant, and had plenty of help as well. Marco Belinelli and Dario Saric each scored 21 for Philadelphia, and Ben Simmons finished with 19 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.
“It was annoying,” Embiid said of getting used to the mask. “But that was the only way I could play in this game, if I wore the mask and protected my face with goggles. I had to work through it and I did.”
Goran Dragic scored 23 points for Miami, which got 19 from Winslow and 14 from Josh Richardson.
Golden State 110, at San Antonio 97: Kevin Durant had 26 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Warriors, who took a 3-0 series lead.
The Spurs were still reeling from the death of Gregg Popovich’s wife, Erin, who had battled an undisclosed illness.
San Antonio did not air a video tribute or hold a moment of silence for Erin in an apparent attempt to make the game as routine as possible for its players, but that was impossible.
Spurs assistant Ettore Messina coached the team in place of Popovich, who chose to be with his family.
The Spurs had an emotional start but could not sustain it.
Golden State closed the first half on a 20-9 run to eliminate a five-point deficit and take a 52-46 lead.
The Warriors finished with six players in double figures, including Klay Thompson with 19.
at New Orleans 119, Portland 102: Nikola Mirotic scored a career playoff-best 30 points for the Pelicans, who put the Trail Blazers on the brink of elimination.
Anthony Davis had 28 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two blocks for New Orleans, which needs one more win to advance past the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2008.
Mirotic, acquired in a midseason trade after DeMarcus Cousins’ seasonending injury, made 12 of 15 shots, scoring on everything from quick-release threepointers to cutting dunks and fast-break layups.