NEW YORK — Joel Embiid scored 34 points and the Philadelphia 76ers spoiled Kevin Durant’s return to the lineup by beating the Brooklyn Nets 110-102 on Thursday night.
Durant had 33 points in his first game in two weeks, having missed three games in health and safety protocols. He picked up right where he left off, having averaged 39.7 points in the three games before that.
But Embiid converted a tiebreaking three-point play with 3:14 remaining, and Tyrese Maxey and Seth Curry hit 3-pointers to send the 76ers to their third straight victory.
Embiid clinched it with a follow shot while being fouled. He and Durant then both received technical fouls and the center was jawing with the Nets as the game ended, waving his arm to send them off the floor.
James Harden had 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists for the Nets, continuing his strong stretch since returning from a three-game absence in health and safety protocols.
Maxey added five 3-pointers and 25 points, while Curry scored 17 points for the 76ers, They were led by assistant coach Dan Burke after Doc Rivers was placed in health and safety protocols earlier Thursday.
BUCKS 136,M MAGIC 118
ORLANDO, Fla. — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points, Jrue Holiday had 25 and Khris Middleton 22 to help Milwaukee beat Orlando for its fifth straight victory.
Antetokounmpo also has 12 rebounds. DeMarcus Cousins had 15 points off the bench for the Bucks.
Franz Wagner scored 20 points for Orlando.
WIZARDS 110, CAVALIERS 93
WASHINGTON — Bradley Beal had 29 points and 10 assists in his return from the NBA’s health and safety protocols and Washington beat Cleveland.
Beal, in his first game action in 12 days, shot 13 of 23 from the floor in 34 minutes. Washington (18-17) avoided falling below .500 for the first time this season. Kyle Kuzma had 25 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.
Kevin Love had 24 points and 11 rebounds for Cleveland.