NBA Round up – Embiid dominant as Sixers cruise to seventh straight win

Joel Embiid maintained his dominant scoring streak as the Philadelphia 76ers prolonged their profitable streak to seven video games with a 121-82 thrashing of the Charlotte Hornets on Friday.

Embiid, one of many entrance-runners for the NBA’s Most Priceless Participant award, rattled in one other 38 factors throughout a one-sided highway victory.

The Sixers star is averaging 35 factors a sport in March and has not scored fewer than 31 in eight video games this month.

Embiid’s newest tally got here on 16-of-21 taking pictures, with 13 rebounds and 5 assists.

“Residence or highway, it does not matter,” Embiid mentioned afterward. “We all know what it takes offensively and defensively, everyone doing their job… tonight we did it as a group.”

James Harden had a uncommon off-night time with solely 11 factors after taking pictures 4-of-15 from the sphere, however the Sixers nonetheless had far an excessive amount of firepower and defensive savvy for a Charlotte group that’s second from the underside of the Jap Convention.

Tobias Harris added 18 factors whereas Tyrese Maxey chipped in with 13.

Regardless of the one-sided nature of the win, Sixers coach Doc Rivers was happy that his group emerged with a clear invoice of well being.

“It is simply good to get the sport over with and be wholesome,” mentioned Rivers, who additionally took satisfaction from the Sixers’ ruthless efficiency.

“It simply exhibits that we’re centered, and we’re displaying up and taking part in,” he mentioned.

“There isn’t a assure every night time how you are going to play, however there’s a assure how one can present up — and we’re displaying up each night time.”

Philadelphia improved to 47-22 with the win and are third within the East, behind leaders Milwaukee (50-20) and Boston (49-22).

– Boston revival –

Boston’s revival continued with a 126-112 win on the highway over the Portland Path Blazers.

Jayson Tatum led the Celtics with 34 factors, whereas Jaylen Brown added 27.

Damian Lillard poured in 41 factors in Portland’s shedding effort.

In different video games Friday, Maxi Kleber nailed a 27-foot buzzer-beater as the Dallas Mavericks put a dent within the Los Angeles Lakers’ postseason cost to snatch a sensational 111-110 highway victory.

Kyrie Irving scored 38 factors — and offered the late help for Kleber — to set up an exciting win for Dallas.

Irving’s tally included 13 within the fourth quarter as Dallas overturned a late 5-level deficit to declare the win.

The defeat dropped the Lakers to tenth within the Western Convention with a 34-37 report. Dallas in the meantime moved up to the sixth spot.

Elsewhere Friday, Golden State’s poor highway kind continued with a 127-119 defeat at Atlanta, with Trae Younger main the Hawks’ scoring with 25 factors.

With the Warriors lacking the defensive presence of the suspended Draymond Inexperienced, the reigning NBA champions dropped their tenth straight sport on the highway.

The Warriors at the moment are 36-35 general and sixth in a congested Western Convention desk.

“Pleased with our guys effort, we had our possibilities and had a number of pictures within the final couple of minutes however simply could not get something to go,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned after the loss.

“These guys are combating. I consider in them and I consider one thing good’s going to occur with this group. We have simply bought to hold combating and hold transferring ahead,” added Kerr, dismissing recommendations that the Warriors’ issues away from residence had been psychological.

“It is not psychological,” Kerr mentioned. “We have been taking part in effectively… nevertheless it’s exhausting to win on the highway on this league. And we’re simply not getting it achieved.”

Steph Curry led the Warriors scorers with 31 factors, and 6 Golden State gamers completed in double figures.

In Chicago, DeMar DeRozan erupted for 49 factors as the Bulls accomplished a 139-131 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves’ defeat was compounded by a worrying damage to star Anthony Edwards, who yelled in ache after an ungainly touchdown on his proper foot within the first quarter.

Edwards left the sport and didn’t return earlier than showing on the bench late on sporting a protecting boot.