Simmons, Embiid lead 76ers past Cavs in Butler's return

Ben Simmons had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 14 assists for his third triple-double of the season, Joel Embiid scored 24 points and the Philadelphia 76ers won in Jimmy Butler's return, routing Cleveland Cavaliers 128-105 on Sunday.

Butler scored 19 points after missing two games — both losses — with a strained groin.

Landry Shamet added 16 points for Philadelphia, J.J. Redick had 14 points and Wilson Chandler 11.

Philadelphia 76ers' Ben Simmons (25), from Australia, tries to drive against Cleveland Cavaliers' David Nwaba, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

Cedi Osman and Jordan Clarkson each scored 18 points for Cleveland. Rodney Hood and Matthew Dellavedova each had 13 points, and rookie point guard Collin Sexton added 12.

Philadelphia broke it open after Cleveland cut a 13-point lead to 86-85 late in the third quarter.

The Sixers led 86-73 midway through the quarter, but Cleveland scored 12 straight points and trailed by one on after Larry Nance Jr.'s dunk. Wilson Chandler hit a 3-pointer from the corner as time ran out in the period, starting the deciding run.

Cleveland Cavaliers' David Nwaba (12) and Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21), from Cameroon, battle for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

The Cavaliers led 44-34 early in the second quarter, but Philadelphia ended the first half on a 31-14 run.

Butler was injured in the first quarter Monday against Detroit and went scoreless in 10 minutes. Philadelphia won that game, but lost to Brooklyn and Indiana with Butler out.

TIP-INS

Cleveland Cavaliers' Jordan Clarkson (8) shoots over Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21), from Cameroon, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

76ers: Redick was limping after landing awkwardly while being fouled in the first quarter, but remained in the game and played 28 minutes. ... Coach Brett Brown walked halfway on the floor to call timeout after Osman drove the length of the floor for an uncontested layup in the second quarter.

Cavaliers: Hood picked up two fouls in the first 1:13 and went to the bench. ... Ante Zizic started at center after not playing in four straight games. Zizic and Nance each picked up two fouls in the first quarter trying to guard Embiid. ... Channing Frye, who started the previous two games in place of the injured Tristan Thompson, entered the game late in the period.

UP NEXT

Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid (21), from Cameroon, shoots against Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Nance Jr. (22), David Nwaba (12), and Jaron Blossomgame (4) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

76ers: At San Antonio on Monday night.

Cavaliers: At Indiana on Tuesday night.

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Cleveland Cavaliers' Collin Sexton (2) scores past Philadelphia 76ers' Jimmy Butler (23) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

Philadelphia 76ers' Jimmy Butler (23) scores past Cleveland Cavaliers' Rodney Hood (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP PhotoRon Schwane)

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)