NBA roundup: Sixers and Warriors boost play-off hopes with key wins

Tyrese Maxey had an outstanding performance, scoring 37 points, while Joel Embiid contributed 29 points, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 109-105 victory against Miami on Thursday. This win greatly enhances their chances of making it to the NBA playoffs.

In addition to his impressive scoring, Maxey also recorded 11 assists and nine rebounds, narrowly missing out on a triple-double. He showcased his versatility and impact on the court, playing for 41 minutes.

The Sixers' record now stands at 42-35, placing them in the eighth position in the Eastern Conference. However, they are only one game behind the sixth-placed Indiana team.

It is crucial for teams to secure a spot within the top six in each conference to directly qualify for the NBA playoffs. Teams ranked from seventh to tenth have to compete in play-in games for the remaining two spots.

Maxey's return to the lineup after a hip injury was remarkable. Despite missing the previous two games, he seamlessly integrated with Embiid, who had also been absent for over two months due to a knee injury. Together, they dominated the game and displayed their chemistry on the court.

Maxey expressed his fatigue after playing for an extended period, but he was determined to contribute as much as possible to the team's success. Philadelphia has won both games since Embiid's return, and although they temporarily dropped out of the top six, they aim to reclaim their position in the final five games of the season.

Miami, led by Terry Rozier's 22 points, suffered a defeat and now holds a 42-34 record, placing them seventh in the Eastern Conference.

In the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors extended their winning streak to six games with a 133-110 victory against Houston, increasing their advantage over the sole team capable of eliminating them from a play-in position.

Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both contributed 29 points each to guide the Warriors, who were ahead 65-50 at halftime and dominated the second half.

The Rockets suffered their 13th consecutive defeat to Golden State, a team they have not defeated since February 2020.

With a record of 42-34, Golden State currently occupies the 10th and final play-in spot in the West, while Houston dropped to 38-38, trailing the Warriors by four games with six games left.

Paul George scored 28 points and James Harden added 20 to lead the Los Angeles Clippers to a 102-100 victory over the defending champions Denver, despite Nikola Jokic's triple-double in a losing effort.

NBA MVP Jokic recorded 36 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, and the Nuggets took a 31-20 lead after the first quarter before the Clippers staged a comeback.

"This is a significant victory, particularly since we have been struggling at home," George remarked. "We had a slow start. We need to improve, but it's a crucial win. This is a team of champions. They are the defending champions. I believe we did an excellent job of staying in the game and fighting hard."

The Clippers' reserves outscored Denver's bench 34-9.

Each team was without a key player, with Jamal Murray sidelined for Denver and Kawhi Leonard absent for the Clippers.

Denver's record dropped to 53-24, placing them half a game behind Western Conference leader Minnesota and half a game ahead of third-place Oklahoma City.

In another game, Kyrie Irving tallied 26 points and Luka Doncic contributed 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 109-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Dallas, now 46-30, maintained their fifth position in the West, staying one game ahead of Phoenix in the race for a top-six finish and a guaranteed playoff berth.

Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks scored 35 points and dished out 11 assists, while Josh Hart added 31 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists to help defeat the Sacramento Kings 120-109.

The Knicks, with a record of 45-31, closed out the game with a 28-14 run to secure the win, breaking a three-game losing streak and tying with fourth-place Orlando, just half a game behind third-place Cleveland in the Eastern Conference.

New York also announced that forward Julius Randle will undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder, which he dislocated in January but had hoped to delay until the playoffs.