Los Angeles
Jaylen Brown scored 32 points as the Boston Celtics won their sixth game in the last seven with a 116-95 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday.
Jayson Tatum tallied 25 points, Marcus Smart had 16 points, and Brad Wanamaker chipped in 15 as the Celtics avoided a season sweep by Philadelphia.
Boston played without injured leading scorer Kemba Walker, who has a sore left knee. Ben Simmons led the 76ers with 23 points, and Joel Embiid was held to 11 on a dismal one-of-11 shooting.
Philadelphia was done in by poor shooting. They attempted 33 shots from three-point range but made just seven.
The 76ers had beaten the Celtics in their first three meetings this season, including December 12 at the Boston Garden.
Meanwhile, Kawhi Leonard scored at least 30 points for the ninth straight contest as the Los Angeles Clippers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-106.
Leonard, who also had six rebounds, needed just 24 minutes of playing time to score 31 points. Paul George, playing in his second contest after missing nine games because of a left hamstring strain, had 21 points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes.
Lou Williams added 17 points, Montrezl Harrell contributed 16 points and six rebounds, and Patrick Beverley finished with 12 points and five rebounds in the win.—APP
