The Philadelphia 76ers took a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference first round series with a 128-108 win over the Miami Heat.
Joel Embiid returned to the team – wearing a face mask following a recent orbital fracture – and went on to score 23 points with seven rebounds and four assists.
.@BenSimmons25 records 19 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals in Game 3 vs Miami.#PhilaUnite x #HereTheyCome pic.twitter.com/WFDMLLOuvn
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 20, 2018
Embiid was backed up by Ben Simmons who made 19 points, 12 rebound and seven assists as the 76ers put on a convincing display during game three in Miami.
The New Orleans Pelicans, meanwhile, extended their series lead in the Western Conference to 3-0 with a 119-102 victory against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Anthony Davis plays big, recording 28 PTS, 11 REB to help @PelicansNBA take a 3-0 series lead! #DoItBigger #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/tNFPvy3dtn
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2018
Nikola Mirotic scored a career play-off high of 30 points, while Anthony Davis added 28 points and 11 rebounds to put the Pelicans in a commanding position to move past the play-off first rounds for the first time in 10 years ahead of game four on Saturday.
The Golden State Warriors also took a 3-0 series lead, beating the San Antonio Spurs 110-97.
Twenty-six points came from Kevin Durant – with nine rebounds and six assists – as the Warriors look to close out the first round in San Antonio in game four on Sunday.
