76ers survive Cavaliers fightback, Raptors make history

New York, April 7: The Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers gave fans a basketball doubleheader of sorts at the Wells Fargo Center on Friday.

The 76ers raced out to a 78-55 half-time lead and appeared on the way to a blowout, but, before the hosts could even think 'We did this without Joel Embiid', the Cavaliers roared back to win the second half 75-54.

Cavs missed a potential game-tying tip shot in the final second as the 76ers just held on to win 132-130.

With the victory, the 76ers (49-30) move past the Cavs (49-31) into third place in the Eastern Conference. They have three games left (Dallas, at Atlanta, Milwaukee) while the Cavs face the Knicks in New York on Monday and then at home for their season finale two days later.

Even with Embiid sidelined by a concussion and fractured orbital bone, the 76ers still have abundant talent, including guard Ben Simmons, who has averaged a triple-double in his past 14 games. Simmons put on a show on Friday, including a bizarre between-the-legs assist at one point, then a few minutes later slashing to the rim for a slam.

Simmons finished with another triple-double (27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists), but veteran guard JJ Redick contributed 28 and fellow sharpshooter Marco Belinelli poured in 23 off the bench. LeBron James also had a triple-double (44/11/11), while forward Jeff Green continued his strong play with 33 points.

RECORDS TUMBLE FOR RAPTORS

The Toronto Raptors not only clinched the No.1 seed in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history, they also set a team record for wins (57) with their 92-73 victory against the Indiana Pacers, whose starters scored a combined 18 points (on 8-of-36 shooting).

Elsewhere, LeBron James' excellence is so taken for granted, he rarely gets a mention, but 44 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists is impossible to ignore.

New York Knicks guard Damyean Dotson (3.0 ppg) got a month's worth of scoring on Friday, too, going off for 30 points — with 11 rebounds — in a 122-98 win over the Miami Heat.

MONROE MAGIC KEEPS CELTICS FLYING

A moment of history from George Monroe helped the Boston Celtics beat the Chicago Bulls 111-104.

Monroe became the first Celtics center to log a triple-double since Robert Parish back in March 1987. The Celtics stay second.

BOGDANOVIC SNATCHES KINGS WIN

Bogdan Bogdanovic hit the game winner for the Sacramento Kings in their 94-93 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

FRIDAY'S RESULTS

Philadelphia 76ers 132-130 Cleveland Cavaliers Detroit Pistons 113-106 Dallas Mavericks Washington Wizards 97-103 Atlanta Hawks Orlando Magic 100-137 Charlotte Hornets Boston Celtics 111-104 Chicago Bulls Toronto Raptors 92-73 Indiana Pacers New York Knicks 122-98 Miami Heat Memphis Grizzlies 93-94 Sacramento Kings Phoenix Suns 103-122 New Orleans Pelicans Los Angeles Lakers 96-113 Minnesota Timberwolves

PELICANS AT WARRIORS

In addition to featuring a great match-up between two of the league's marquee players, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, this is an important game for the Pelicans, who could still miss the playoffs with a slight stumble in the final week.

Source: OPTA