Five things to know about the NBA today.
1. Joel Embiid’s scoring, rebounding steak putting him in elite class
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has been doing his best Wilt Chamberlain impersonation in the past month.
Embiid has scored at least 30 points and got at least 10 rebounds since the middle of November. He continued that torrid pace with a 51-point, 12-rebound effort Wednesday in the Sixers’ 127-113 win against the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oh by the way, the Timberwolves are the best defensive team in the NBA.
Embiid puts his name alongside some of the NBA’s greatest players, most notably Chamberlain, who is the only other 76ers player to have three straight 40-plus point, 10-plus rebound games.
Players with 12 straight games with 30 points, 10 rebounds
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
- Elgin Baylor
- Walt Bellamy
- Joel Embiid
2. Clippers keep clipping opponents
What is going on with the Los Angeles Clippers? This team that was boring, disjointed and looked like it had no energy or emotion has come alive and is the hottest team in the NBA.
With a 120-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, the Clippers have won their ninth straight game. It’s the club’s longest winning streak since the 2015-16 season.
Kawhi Leonard had 30 points and 10 rebounds and L.A. closed out the game on a 14-3 run.
3. Pacers back on pace, in a big way
All the Indiana Pacers needed to get back to their winning ways was a visit from the Charlotte Hornets.
Indiana showed why it has the best offense in the league by shooting 61% from the floor in a 144-113 win over the Hornets.
Tyrese Haliburton, who should be representing the Pacers when the All-Star Game is played in their arena this spring, was back to earlier-season form, scoring 19 points and dishing out 13 assists.
The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Pacers. Charlotte now has a six-game losing streak and will play the defending champs, the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
4. NBA players appreciate a great shot, even when it’s on them
This shot that Luka Doncic hit over James Harden Wednesday night was so good.
Even Harden showed appreciation.
5. Game of the night: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota is off to its best start in franchise history. At 20-6, the Timberwolves lead the Western Conference and welcome the Lakers tonight.
Los Angeles comes in on a three-game losing streak, but forget about that. If it’s a big game, LeBron James will be ready.
This game will be a showcase of talent as Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards, who proclaimed himself as the Best Player in the NBA once upon a time, comes in averaging 24.7 points and 5.1 assists. Karl-Anthony Towns is arguably having his best season and Rudy Gobert, who was traded to Minnesota last season, appears to be the missing piece to push this team to the top of the conference.
They’ll battle James and Anthony Davis, who is an MVP candidate as long as he’s healthy, averaging 24 points, 12.6 rebounds and shooting right at 55% from the floor.