Nikola Jokic has recorded his twenty ninth triple double of the NBA season as his Denver Nuggets beat the Philadelphia 76ers 116-111 however Joel Embiid’s absence robbed the sport of a highly-anticipated showdown.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting a conflict between MVP front-runners that many felt may have determined whether or not Embiid, the runner-up the final two years, denies Jokic a 3rd consecutive award.
But Embiid sat out Monday night time’s match in Denver with a sore proper calf.
With Embiid, the league’s main scorer, within the locker room, Jokic scored 25 factors, pulled down 17 rebounds and dished out 12 assists.
The MVP conflict wasn’t the race that was on Doc Rivers’ thoughts.
“It was not a hard decision for us,” the 76ers coach mentioned of holding out Embiid, who complained of discomfort on the group’s morning shootaround.
“Everybody wants to see these two guys play against each other,” Rivers mentioned, however “we’re just going to take it slow and be smart. We want to get him and the whole team healthy for the playoffs.”
The Sixers, who additionally have been with out James Harden (Achilles) for a fourth consecutive sport, matched their season excessive with their third consecutive loss.
Tyrese Maxey scored 23 of his 29 factors within the first half, serving to hold the 76ers shut.
In Indianapolis, Luka Doncic completed with 25 factors, seven rebounds and 6 assists simply hours after his most up-to-date technical foul and one-game suspension have been rescinded by the NBA and led the Dallas Mavericks previous the Indiana Pacers 127-104.
The Mavericks snapped a four-game dropping streak and remained in competition within the race for one of many ultimate two play-in spots within the Western Conference. Kyrie Irving added 16 factors and 6 assists for Dallas.
In Salt Lake City, Devin Booker scored 24 factors for the Phoenix Suns whereas their bench sparked the decisive run in a 117-103 win over Utah Jazz.
The Suns (40-35) had misplaced 4 in a row on the highway. But with this victory they sit extra securely within the fourth spot within the Western Conference playoff race – which might give them home-court benefit within the first spherical.
In Detroit, Khris Middleton scored 34 factors towards the group that drafted him because the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Detroit Pistons 126-117 regardless of being with out Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee).
Milwaukee improved to an NBA-best 54-21 and Goran Dragic made his Bucks debut after signing with the group on March 4, however did not rating in 9 minutes.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
