Cameroonian Joel Embiid continues his winning return with 30 points scored to allow the Philadelphia 76ers to achieve a fourth success in a row, a series also achieved by the Lakers in the race for the play-offs on Saturday in the NBA.
Embiid, the NBA’s reigning MVP, returned from a knee injury and a two-month absence Tuesday to help the Sixers beat the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 30-year-old Cameroonian pivot followed up with a 29-point performance Thursday in Miami and did it again on Saturday against the Grizzlies (116-96): after 30 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks, he was rested for the majority of of the last quarter, the work accomplished.
This is the fourth victory in a row for the 76ers, 8th in the East and who threaten the Pacers and the Heat just in front of them. Without its Cameroonian star, Philadelphia had fallen in the standings and must now struggle to avoid going through the play-ins.
In the same position (8th) in the West, the Lakers also won a fourth consecutive victory, 116-97 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who occupy third place in the East. D’Angelo Russell led the Lakers with 28 points, LeBron James scored 24 and Anthony Davis had 22 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers, in great shape at the right time of the season, one week before the end of the regular season, have won nine of their last ten matches. Currently in a play-off position, they are aiming for a place in the top six, directly qualifying for the play-off.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets regained the lead in the Western Conference by beating the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 142-110. Nikola Jokic recorded his 25th triple double of the season with 19 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists. While in the East Boston is well ahead, Denver is engaged in a fierce fight in the West for first place. The Nuggets have a record of 54 wins and 24 losses, just ahead of Minnesota (53-24) and Oklahoma City (52-25).