Nov. 22 Recap: McCain, Maxey Ignite 76ers; Warriors Stave Off Pelicans for 12th Win; Naji Marshall’s 26 Leads Mavericks on Road in Denver

Rookie guard Jared McCain scored 30 points on 6-for-11 from downtown (11-for-20 overall) and Tyrese Maxey put up 26 (11-for-17) to lead the Philadelphia 76ers past the Brooklyn Nets 113-98. The 76ers, playing without Joel Embiid, made 16 triples as the win was one of the few positives in what has been a disastrous start to the season. They are 3-14 and 1-2 in NBA Cup standings.

For the Nets (6-10, 1-2 NBA Cup), Cam Johnson poured in 37 points on 14-for-21, including 9-for-13 from deep. Cam Thomas scored 18 but shot just 6-for-15.

The 76ers will also be without Embiid on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers as he deals with swelling in his left knee. The team is already without Paul George, who re-aggravated his hypertension of his left knee in Wednesday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid has played just four games and is averaging 19.8 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 38 percent. He registered 35 points and 11 rebounds in Wednesday’s loss.

For the 76ers and their fans, the hope is to get their unit healthy as the season wears on. For now though, McCain and Maxey are leading the way.

The Golden State Warriors edged the New Orleans Pelicans 112-108 to improve to 12-3 and clinch the top seed in their NBA Cup Group (3-0). The Pelicans, who have a host of injuries, dropped to 4-13 (1-2 NBA Cup).

Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 30 points on 9-for-14, while Stephen Curry played a solid game with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 6-for-13.

Trey Murphy missed a potential go ahead triple in the final seconds, but was the high point man for the Pelicans with 24 points on 9-for-17. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl was great off the bench in 23 minutes with 19 points and 12 rebounds on 7-for-11 shooting. Brandon Ingram was just 7-for-16 for 18 points.

The Dallas Mavericks (9-7, 2-1 NBA Cup) prevented a collapse in Denver, narrowly defeating the Nuggets 123-120 after being up 73-53 at halftime. The Nuggets are now 8-6 with the loss (1-2 NBA Cup). Former Pelican Naji Marshall scored a career-high (and team-high on the night) 26 on 11-for-15 in 26 minutes off the bench, including a driving floater with 18 seconds to go. In the final seconds and down by four, Russell Westbrook was intentionally fouled and missed both free-throws, but Nikola Jokic rebounded and found Jamal Murray open for a triple to cut the deficit to one. Kyrie Irving (19 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 7-for-19) made both free-throws at the other end, and Murray, who was just 4-for-16 for 14 points but had 11 assists, mistakenly made a second free-throw that he intended to miss. P.J. Washington (22 points, 13 rebounds on 8-for-15) came up clutch as he made his two charity stripe tries after Murray’s makes and stole the long inbound pass thrown by Peyton Watson.

Dereck Lively (11 points, 6 rebounds) had two timely blocks in the final two minutes that kept the game tied at 113.

Klay Thompson (0-for-8) was held scoreless for the fifth time in his career.

The Nuggets, who were outscored 40-22 in the second quarter but outscored the Mavericks 36-22 in the third, got another outstanding performance out of Jokic, who put up 32 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists on 13-for-22 shooting. He is first in the league in rebounding (13.7) and assists (11.7), and has put together five consecutive triple-doubles. He has seven total thus far on the season.

Around the League

Celtics 108 (13-3, 2-1 NBA Cup)

Wizards 96 (2-12, 0-2 NBA Cup)

Brown: 31 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST (11-for-27 FG)

Tatum: 16 PTS, 9 REB, 8 AST (6-for-19 FG, 0-for-10 3PT)

Poole: 23 PTS, 8 AST (9-for-19 FG)

Kuzma: 21 PTS (10-for-19 FG)

Brogdon: 18 PTS

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Bulls 136 (7-10, 1-1 NBA Cup)

Hawks 122 (7-10, 2-1 NBA Cup)

LaVine: 26 PTS (11-for-18 FG, 4-for-8 3PT)

White, Dosunmu: 20 PTS; Vucevic: 18 PTS, 13 REB

Johnson: 25 PTS, 13 REB, 5 AST (10-for-19 FG)

Young: 25 PTS, 13 AST (8-for-18 FG)

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Rockets 116 (12-5, 2-0 NBA Cup)

Trail Blazers 88 (6-10, 1-1 NBA Cup)

Brooks: 28 PTS, 6 REB (10-for-15 FG, 6-for-8 3PT)

Eason: 22 PTS, 8 REB (8-for-14 FG)

Sharpe: 13 PTS (3-for-9 FG)

Avdija: 13 PTS, 6 REB

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Bucks 129 (7-9, 2-0 NBA Cup)

Pacers 117 (6-10, 0-2 NBA Cup)

Antetokounmpo: 37 PTS, 11 AST, 10 REB (14-for-21 FG)

Lillard: 24 PTS, 12 AST (8-for-20 FG)

Siakam: 25 PTS, 8 REB (9-for-16 FG)

Haliburton: 18 PTS, 9 AST (6-for-14 FG)

Antetokounmpo: 47th career triple-double (12th-most all-time)

MIL: Won five of their last six games.

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Clippers 104 (10-7, 1-1 NBA Cup)

Kings 88 (8-8, 0-2 NBA Cup)

Harden: 22 PTS, 9 AST, 6 REB (5-for-18 FG, 2-for-10 3PT)

Zubac: 10 PTS, 15 REB

Fox: 29 PTS, 7 AST, 7 REB (10-for-20 FG in 43 minutes)

Sabonis: 24 PTS, 15 REB (9-for-17 FG)

LAC: Led 51-29 at halftime

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