Washington (AFP)
Philadelphia inflicted Boston's first home loss of the season Thursday in the NBA, while Luka Doncic, sparkling, took Dallas by scoring 41 points against Detroit.
The Boston Celtics, tied with Philadelphia before the game in third place at the East conference, had never lost on their floor in 10 games this season. Joel Embiid had to push himself to make them fall.
The Cameroonian pivot has scored 38 points, his record this season, including 16 in the last quarter, to seal the win 115-109 76ers.
Tobias Harris added 23 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, and Mike Scott has five five-point baskets for an eighth Celtic win over their last nine games.
Without playing because of a left knee injury, the Dominican Al Horford was the protagonist of the evening receiving a standing ovation, he who returned for the first time at the Celtics where he played three seasons before signing to Philadelphia.
Elsewhere, Dallas has relied on its leader Luka Doncic, the author of 41 points, to outperform Detroit 122-111 in Mexico City.
With 12 rebounds and 11 assists, the Slovenian signs a triple-double (three statistics to 10 or more) to 40 points, the second of his career to only 20 years. A precocious record for Doncic, who does better than LeBron James at his age.
Dallas did not make the suspense last. The Mavericks led 71-58 at the end of the third period and then managed their advantage to clinch their fifth away win and move to third place in the Western Conference.
In other games on Thursday, Cleveland defeated San Antonio 117-109 and took off from last place in the Western Conference. Denver won without a hitch in Portland 114-99.
The results of the North American Basketball Championship (NBA) after the games played on Thursday:
Denver - Portland 114 - 99
Detroit - Dallas 111 - 122
Boston - Philadelphia 109 - 115
San Antonio - Cleveland 109 - 117
© 2019 AFP