JOEL Embiid drained two free throws late in the game as the Philadelphia 76ers struggled past undermanned Detroit Pistons, 114-110, in the 2020-2021 National Basketball Association (NBA) Season at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, United States on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines).
Having a two-point advantage, Embiid made two free throws with 7.2 seconds remaining as the Eastern Conference No. 1 team 76ers escaped a close one against the No. 15 Pistons, which played minus veterans Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose.
Embiid finished the match with 33 points and 14 rebounds while Ben Simmons added season-best 20 points along with nine rebounds and seven assists as the 76ers improved to a 12-5 win-loss slate.
The Pistons were able to keep in step with the 76ers all match long until Philadelphia got its double-digit advantage at 99-88 early in the fourth quarter via a dunk from Dwight Howard.
However, Detroit never gave up as it came to within 108-110 on a triple by Jerami Grant. Simmons made it a 112-108 for 76ers with two free throws, but the Pistons cut it anew to 110-112 on a conversion by Delon Wright.
In other NBA games, Kyrie Irving heated up in the fourth quarter as Brooklyn Nets pulled off a 128-124 escape over Miami Heat at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, US.
After seeing its once 18-point advantage trim to 112-113 by a furious Heat run, Irving drained a triple for a 116-112 Nets’ edge. Consecutive layups by Kevin Durant, Irving and James Harden increased Brooklyn’s advantage to 122-114.
A three-point play by Goran Dragić and another by Duncan Robinson pulled the Heat to within 120-123. Two free throws by Irving increased the Nets’ lead back to 125-120, but Robinson got three free throws to come to within 125-123.
Miami even had a chance after Irving split on his free throws for a 126-123 Nets score, but Bam Adebayo just drained one of his free throws for the Heat. Harden then iced the win for Brooklyn with two free throws.
Durant finished the match with 31 points, including four triples while Irving added 28 markers, with 18 coming in the fourth quarter, as the Nets halted their two-game slide and rose to 10-8.
Minnesota Timberwolves (4-11), on the other hand, broke their losing skid with a 120-110 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans (5-10). Naz Reid top-scored with 20 markers for the Twolves.
BOX SCORE:
PHILADELPHIA 114 – Embiid 33, Simmons 20, Harris 17, Curry 14, Korkmaz 8, Milton 8, Green 7, Howard 5, Maxey 2, Thybulle 0.
DETROIT 110 – Ellington 17, Mykhailiuk 15, Doumbouya 13, Grant 11, Jackson 11, Wright 10, Bey 10, Stewart 8, Plumlee 7, Okafor 6, Lee 2.
QUARTERSCORES:
Q1, 28-31; Q2, 61-63; Q3, 94-88; Q4, 114-110. /PN
