PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Brunson had 21 points and 12 assists with Spike Lee cheering from courtside, and the New York Knicks spoiled fellow former Villanova star Kyle Lowry’s Philadelphia debut with a 110-96 victory over the 76ers on Thursday night.
Bojan Bogdanovic scored 22 points for New York. Josh Hart had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Precious Achiuwa added 18 points and 11 rebounds.
All-Star Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 35 points. Maxey made 11 of 24 shots but had little other offensive help, a common theme for the Sixers in MVP Joel Embiid’s absence.
Lowry could add some punch off the bench. He won a championship with the Toronto Raptors in 2019 while playing for Nick Nurse, who is in his first season coaching the 76ers.
PACERS 129, PISTONS 115
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton had 25 points and 13 assists to help Indiana beat NBA-worst Detroit.
Coming off a 32-point night Sunday in the NBA All-Star Game on his home floor at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Haliburton had his 15th game of the season with at least 25 points and 10 assists. Pascal Siakam added 20 points for Indiana.
Cade Cunningham had 30 points and eight assists for Detroit. The Pistons have lost four straight to fall to 8-47.
MAGIC 116, CAVALIERS 109
CLEVELAND (AP) — Mortiz Wagner had 22 points, younger brother Franz added 14 and Orlando handed Cleveland just its third loss in 21 games.
The Cavs, who have been the NBA’s hottest team since mid-December, played without leading scorer and All-Star Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell sat out with an unspecified illness.
Orlando played the final 22 minutes without starting guard Jalen Suggs, who went out midway through the third quarter with a head injury and didn’t return.
RAPTORS 121, NETS 93
TORONTO (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. scored 25 points, Scottie Barnes had 18 points and 12 rebounds and Toronto spoiled Brooklyn interim coach Kevin Ollie’s debut.
Immanuel Quickley had 24 points for Toronto. RJ Barrett added 12 points and matched a season high with seven assists.
Mikel Bridges led Brooklyn with 21 points. Ollie replaced Jacque Vaughn on Tuesday, a day after Vaughn was fired following a 21-33 start.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
