By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Philadelphia 76ers put up a scoring feast against the Charlotte Hornets to prevail with a 144-114 win at home. The Sixers would clinch a playoffs ticket with a Cavs‘ loss, while in the wake of the Knicks‘ defeat, they will have to wait another day before punching a ticket to the NBA playoffs.
Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris powered Philadelphia to a big third-quarter run to get the job done over the Hornets and snap a three-game skid. Embiid posted a double-double with 29 points, 14 rebounds along with 6 assists and Harris added 23 points.
Tyrese Maxey followed with 19 points for the Sixers, while James Harden posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 assists.
Miles Bridges scored a team-high 20 points for the visiting team, P.J. Washington had 14 points and Lonzo Ball added 13. The Hornets have claimed a spot for the play-in tournament though they have now dropped to the 10th seed with a 40-38 record.
In the meantime the Cleveland Cavaliers bounced back from a two-game skid to beat the New York Knicks 119-101 on the road, spoiling early celebration plans for the Sixers. The Cavs further improved to a 43-35 record to solidify into the seventh seed of the Eastern Conference.
Darius Garland scored 24 points along with 13 assists to pace the Cavs, while Lauri Markannen and Cedi Osman each scored 10 points.
The already-eliminated Knicks have lost their second in a row to drop to 34-44. Obi Toppin posted 20 points for the home team, Evan Fournier added 19 and Immanuel Quickley tapped 17.
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