Banged-up Celtics hold off 76ers
With three of Boston’s regular starters out — and Jaylen Brown soon to join them — Malcolm Brogdon and Derrick White scored 19 points apiece to lead the Celtics to a 106-99 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night.
Jayson Tatum had 12 points, nine assists and eight rebounds for Boston, which won for the fourth time in five games to improve the NBA’S best record (39-16). The 76ers (3419) are second in the Atlantic Division and third in the Eastern Conference, having lost both matchups with the Celtics this season.
Joel Embiid scored 28 points and James Harden added 26 points and 11 assists for the Sixers, who lost their second in a row. They had won nine of their previous 11.
Marcus Smart, Robert Williams III and Al Horford all missed the game with injuries. Blake Griffin got the start and hit five 3-pointers for a seasonhigh 15 points, and Grant Williams had 15 points and eight rebounds.
Brown, who missed the previous game with an illness, exited after colliding with Tatum under the basket when they were both going for an offensive rebound.
HEAT 116, PACERS 111
Bam Adebayo tied his season high with 38 points, Jimmy Butler added 25 and Miami held off Indiana.
Gabe Vincent had 17 points, Tyler Herro scored 15 and Caleb Martin finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat, who snapped a two-game slide.
Buddy Hield scored 29 points for the Pacers, who have lost 13 of 15. Myles Turner had 23 points and 11 rebounds.
CAVALIERS 113, PISTONS 85
Jarrett Allen scored 20 points, Evan Mobley
added 19 and Cleveland topped Detroit for its fourth straight victory despite resting its starting backcourt.
All-star starter Donovan Mitchell (groin) and Darius Garland (thumb) got the night off to heal some nagging injuries, but the Cavaliers barely missed their top guards.
RAPTORS 112, SPURS 98
Pascal Siakam had 37 points and 10 rebounds, Fred Vanvleet scored 16 and Toronto handed San Antonio its 10th consecutive loss.
Chris Boucher added 18 points and 11 rebounds
off the bench in Toronto’s third straight win. Gary Trent Jr. scored 15 for the Raptors, who have won their past five meetings with the Spurs.
WIZARDS 118, HORNETS 104
Kristaps Porzingis scored 36 points and matched a career high with eight 3-pointers as Washington beat Charlotte to stop a three-game skid.
Deni Avdija had 20 points and 13 rebounds and Bradley Beal added 17 points and 10 assists for the Wizards, who handed the Hornets their fifth straight loss.