Shake Milton scored 31 high-season points, Tobias Harris added 18 and the Philadelphia 76ers had little trouble eliminating the Miami Heat 125-108 that had been lowered Thursday.
Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons put up his 30th career double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. Simmons reached the milestone in just his 228th career game, becoming the third fastest man in NBA history – behind Oscar Robertson (75 games) and Magic Johnson (190) – to reach the mark. .
Tyrese Maxey added 15 points and Danny Green and Isaiah Joe had 12 apiece for the Sixers, who were also on top of the heat two nights earlier. The Sixers got a big boost when Milton, Harris and Matisse Thybulle (eight points, four leads) returned from a COVID-19 communications discovery.
Duncan Robinson led the heat with 22 points, Gabe Vincent added 21 and Tyler Herro had 17. Precious Achiuwa had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his second straight double.
Indiana Pacers 111 – Portland Trail Blazers 87
Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis combined for 48 points and Indiana used a 33-10 blitz in the second quarter to take control of the path to victory at Portland.
There was more concern for the Trail Blazers, however, midfielder Jusuf Nurkic was breaking his right finger. He left in the third quarter after falling, and never returned to the game.
Brogdon scored 25 points at the top of the game and Sabonis added by 23 as the Pacers won, a handful after trading Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets, second straight on the road. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum had 22 points for Portland, who had won four in a row but was playing the second night of a set back.
Toronto Raptors 111 – Charlotte Hornets 108
Reserve Chris Boucher matched his best career with 25 points and added 10 rebounds as Toronto kept off Charlotte at his temporary home at Tampa, Fla.
Kyle Lowry added 16 points and 12 helped the Raptors win for the third time in 11 games this season. Fred VanVleet had 17 points for Toronto and Pascal Siakam added 15.
Terry Rozier scored 22 points for the Hornets and PJ Washington scored 20 points and 11 rebounds. Devonte ‘Graham had 15 points, LaMelo Ball had 14 points and 11 assists.
Denver Nuggets 114 – Golden State Warriors 104
Nikola Jokic had 23 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists, Jamal Murray scored 17 points and nine rebounds and Denver beat Golden State.
Will Barton had 17 points, JaMychal Green added 15 points and nine rebounds, Paul Millsap got 12, Monte Morris got 11 and PJ Dozier scored 10 points for Denver. The Nuggets lost two starters, Michael Porter Jr. (COVID-19) and Gary Harris (personal reasons).
Stephen Curry scored 35 points at the game level and added 11 rebounds, James Wiseman had 18 points, Andrew Wiggins added 16 and Kelly Oubre Jr. 14 for the Warriors.
Houston Rockets 109 – San Antonio Spurs 105
Christian Wood picked up 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to take Houston short-handed to San Antonio’s stunning win.
The game was Houston ‘s first since sending star guard James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets as part of a four – team trade that was concluded Thursday morning.
Sterling Brown scored 23 points while Jae’Sean Tate scored 13 and PJ Tucker scored 10 for Houston. Keldon Johnson added 29 career-level points for San Antonio while Lonnie Walker IV added 16.
–Field Media Level