Dinwiddie, Russell help Nets get first win without LeVert

Spencer Dinwiddie scored a season-best 25 points, D'Angelo Russell had 23 and the Brooklyn Nets beat the Washington Wizards 115-104 on Friday night for their first win since Caris LeVert's gruesome foot injury.

The Nets had lost five straight in Washington and ended a three-game slide overall. Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 12 rebounds in his return after missing two games due to illness.

LeVert is Brooklyn's leading scorer this season but suffered what was originally feared to be a season-ending injury Monday. Doctors found no fractures, though, and he is expected to avoid surgery and return later this season from a dislocated foot.

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) shoots over Brooklyn Nets guard Allen Crabbe (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)

Dwight Howard scored a season-high 25 points for the Wizards before fouling out in the fourth quarter. He also grabbed 17 rebounds, and Washington ended its three-game winning streak.

Bradley Beal scored 20 points and John Wall had 16. The All-Star backcourt duo combined to shoot only 14 for 38 on a night Washington went 3 of 17 from beyond the arc, posting season lows in makes and attempts.

Neither team led by more than six in the first half before Brooklyn used a 19-5 run to build a 79-64 advantage in the third. Russell scored eight of those points — five from the foul line — and found Joe Harris and Allen Crabbe for 3-pointers.

Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) brings the ball up as Brooklyn Nets guard Allen Crabbe (33) looks back during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)

Washington briefly got back within eight, but the Nets reclaimed a double-digit lead and kept it throughout the fourth quarter.

CARIS COMING WITH?

Nets coach Kenny Atkinson is hopeful LeVert will be able to join the team on the road in the near future.

Washington Wizards forward Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) drives between Brooklyn Nets forward Ed Davis, left, and guard Shabazz Napier during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)

"Not right now, but I'd say soon," Atkinson said of LeVert's ability to travel. "He's kind of walking around."

TIP-INS

Nets: Russell scored 13 of Brooklyn's first 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting. ... F Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sat out with a sprained right ankle.

Washington Wizards forward Jeff Green (32) tries to shoot between Brooklyn Nets forward Ed Davis, back right, and guard Shabazz Napier, front right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov. 16, 2018, in Washington. (AP PhotoAlex Brandon)

Wizards: Had held opponents under 30 points for seven consecutive quarters before Brooklyn scored 30 in the second. ... Wall picked up his fourth technical foul of the season with 6:02 left in the third quarter, and his first flagrant with 59 second remaining in the game.

UP NEXT:

Nets: Host the LA Clippers on Saturday night.

Wizards: Play the fourth game of a five in a row at home Sunday night vs. Portland.

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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 31 points and 14 rebounds, Jalen Suggs added 24 points and the Orlando Magic handed Cleveland the worst playoff loss in franchise history, winning 121-83 on Thursday night to cut the Cavaliers’ lead to 2-1 in their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Franz Wagner finished with 16 points and eight assists for the Magic, who led by 43 points in the fourth quarter on the way to the third-largest margin of victory in a playoff game. They earned their first playoff victory since 2019 and the first on their home floor since April 26, 2011.

They can even the series with a victory at home Sunday.

Jarrett Allen had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Cavaliers, who shot 39% from the field and 23.5% from 3-point range. Caris LeVert added 15 points and Donovan Mitchell had 13 points and seven assists.

76ERS 125, KNICKS 114

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 50 points, making all four 3-point attempts and scoring 18 in a potential series-shifting third quarter to lead Philadelphia to a win over New York in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Embiid boldly stated “we’re going to win this series” after the 76ers dropped Game 2.

With one of the finest postseason efforts of his career, Embiid became the third player to ever score 50 points against the Knicks in the postseason and kept the hope of a Philadelphia series comeback very much alive.

The Knicks lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

Embiid was 13 of 19 from the floor overall, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit five 3-pointers.

NUGGETS 112, LAKERS 105

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Aaron Gordon had 29 points and 15 rebounds, Nikola Jokic added 24 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists, and Denver moved to the brink of the second round with a victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of their first-round series..

Jamal Murray scored 22 points as the defending NBA champion Nuggets won their 11th consecutive meeting with LeBron James and the Lakers in dominating style.

Michael Porter Jr. added 20 points for Denver, which took control in the third quarter and cruised through the final minutes to its fifth straight road win over Los Angeles, starting with its sweep of last season’s Western Conference finals.

Game 4 is Saturday night in Los Angeles. No NBA team has ever rallied from an 0-3 playoff deficit.

Orlando Magic guard Cole Anthony (50) makes a shot as he gets past Cleveland Cavaliers guard Sam Merrill (5) during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)