Philadelphia’s Embiid resting knee

Philadelphia 76ers All-Star center Joel Embiid expects to return to the lineup next week from a sore left knee that has cost him the past five games.

Embiid sat out again Saturday night against Golden State and has not played since the All-Star game.

The 24-year-old Embiid is averaging 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds in 54 games for the 76ers. Embiid underwent an MRI last week, which revealed no structural damage, and he will undergo physical therapy

“It’s all about long term preservation and making sure I’m ready not just for the playoffs, but also for the next 15 years,” Embiid said.

Embiid said he could “for sure” play through the mild

Sunday

Game: Houston Rockets (3725) at Boston Celtics (38-25), TD Garden, Boston.

When: 3:30 p.m.

TV: WTAE.

The skinny: Houston’s James Harden is averaging an NBA-best 36.6 ppg. No player has won a scoring title with an average as high since Michael Jordan in 1986-87 (37.1).

tendinitis but wanted to rest up for the stretch run and the playoffs. Embiid dismissed any connection between his soreness and playing 23 minutes in the All-Star game.

Cavaliers

Star forward Kevin Love rested his surgically repaired left foot as the visiting Detroit Pistons beat Cleveland, 129-93. Love still isn’t ready to play in back-to-back games and with Cleveland scheduled to host Orlando Sunday, the team is remaining conservative with his minutes. The Cavaliers have steadily increased Love’s playing time since he came back from the operation, which kept the five-time All-Star out of 50 games.

Bucks

Eric Bledsoe began Friday with a contract extension. He ended it later by leading visiting Milwaukee to its eighth consecutive victory and 10th in a row on the road. Bledsoe scored 31 points. “We’ve got a talented young team, we’re growing together,” said Bledsoe, who reportedly received a $70 million, four-year extension. “We compete for something bigger than ourselves. I just wanted to be part of it.”