Kings at 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are in a three-way battle for the third seed in the Eastern Conference and every contest now falls in the crucial category. The 76ers look to close a homestand with their third straight victory when they face the Sacramento Kings on Friday.
Philadelphia fell a half-game behind Indiana when the Pacers won Thursday and fifth-place Boston moved within 1 1/2 games by posting a 126-120 victory over the visiting Kings. All-Star center Joel Embiid (knee) returned from an eight-game absence to post back-to-back double-doubles, averaging 25 points and 15.5 rebounds during the stretch. Sacramento's loss to the Celtics was its eighth in the past 11 games and the club has fallen five games off the pace with 15 left to play for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Shooting guard Buddy Hield scored 34 points against Boston to top 30 for the third time in the past nine contests.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Sacramento), NBCS Philadelphia
ABOUT THE KINGS (33-34): Rising rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (knee) returned from a five-game absence and had 14 points and six rebounds in 19 minutes. Sacramento coach Dave Joerger indicated after the contest that Bagley will play on the second end of the back-to-back and his teammates are pleased to see the No. 2 overall pick back in action. "He brings a lot of energy, rebounding and post scoring," point guard De'Aaron Fox told reporters. "He’s gotten better throughout the season, so it’s always helpful when he’s able to play for us.”
ABOUT THE 76ERS (43-25): Outside shooting isn't a specialty of point guard Ben Simmons as he has missed all 15 of his career 3-point attempts to go with a meager 58.2 percentage from the free-throw line. However, the 22-year-old Australian is shooting 70.6 percent from the line since the All-Star break - including making 25-of-32 in March - and the improvement is pleasing to coach Brett Brown. “You could almost see there was an anger that he deserved to shoot better,” Brown told reporters. ”It wasn’t anything that beat him down. In fact, it inspired him, I saw. That’s just my observation.”
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Kings have won the past three meetings, including 115-108 at home Feb. 2.
2. Sacramento C Willie Cauley-Stein recorded 10 points and 13 rebounds against Boston for his 20th double-double of the season.
3. Philadelphia backup F Mike Scott (illness) is questionable for Friday's game.