Embiid's late block helps 76ers take 3-0 series lead over Nets

Joel Embiid, limping throughout the game and perhaps lucky not to have been ejected for kicking a Nets player in the groin area, blocked a potential tying basket with 8.8 seconds left and the visiting Philadelphia 76ers beat Brooklyn 102-97 on Thursday night to take a 3-0 lead in the first-round series.

Tyrese Maxey made the tiebreaking three-pointer with 44 seconds left for the 76ers, who can sweep their way into the second round with a victory Saturday in Brooklyn.

With James Harden having been ejected in the third quarter for another groin shot and Embiid not looking like his usual dominant self, Maxey took over the offence and scored eight straight points, turning a five-point deficit into a 99-96 lead on his three-pointer.

Spencer Dinwiddie made one free throw, then appeared to have a path to the basket for a tying layup before Embiid rose up and swatted it. P.J. Tucker made a free throw to make it 100-97, and the Nets turned it over on their next possession.

Mikal Bridges scored 26 points and Dinwiddie had 20 for the Nets, who have lost nine straight playoff games and are on the verge of being swept for the second straight year. Cam Johnson scored 17 points.

Embiid went to the locker room for treatment after checking out in the first quarter, then was limping multiple times later.

The 76ers might've been lucky he was still in the game at that point.

Nets fans loudly booed the decision not to eject him for kicking his leg up toward Nic Claxton's groin in the first quarter and those not in the arena took to social media to ask why he wasn't, as Golden State's Draymond Green was for stepping on Sacramento's Domantas Sabonis in Game 2 of their series. Green was then suspended by the NBA for Game 3.

The Nets raced to a 19-11, riding an emotional boost after Embiid's flagrant foul. But Philadelphia would recover to lead 32-28 after one, extended the lead to 51-40 on Maxey's three-pointer with 3:52 left in the half and the lead remained 11 at the break.

But Bridges got the Nets off to a quick start in the third and Johnson scored 13 points, helping the Nets outscore the 76ers 35-18 in the third to bring an 82-76 edge to the fourth.

Curry leads Warriors past Kings in Game 3

Stephen Curry scored 36 points, Kevon Looney matched his career high with 20 rebounds to go with nine assists, and the Golden State Warriors got right back in their first-round playoff series by thumping the visiting Sacramento Kings 114-97 in Game 3 on Thursday night to pull within 2-1.

Curry shot 12 for 25 with six threes while Canada's Andrew Wiggins added 20 points and seven rebounds for the Warriors, who never trailed and will now try to even the best-of-seven series in Game 4 on Sunday back on their home court at Chase Center.

Sabonis, who grabbed Green's foot during the play in question, was booed at every chance. The big man underwent tests that revealed a bruised sternum but was able to practice Wednesday and cleared to play. He had 14 rebounds by halftime and 16 total to go with 15 points. But Golden State's smothering interior defense led to some spectacular plays on offence.

De'Aaron Fox was five for 14 in the first half for 12 points but finished with 26 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists for the Kings. Fox scored 62 in the first two games.

Jordan Poole — playing on a tender left ankle — started in Green's place and had 16 points and five rebounds, while the Warriors also counted on contributions from Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody and Donte DiVincenzo.

Suns defeat Leonard-less Clippers

Devin Booker scored 45 points, Kevin Durant added 26 and the visiting Phoenix Suns beat the Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers 129-124 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference playoff series.

Leonard sat out because of a sprained right knee, the same injury that has sidelined fellow star Paul George since March 21. Leonard was hurt in Game 1, and played through it in Game 2, but afterward his condition didn't improve.

Game 4 is Saturday in Los Angeles.

Booker shot 18 for 29 and had seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks while playing a game-high 44 minutes. He scored 38 points in Game 2.

With Leonard watching from the bench, the Clippers kept it close through the first half, when neither team led by more than six.

Despite the heroics of former UCLA stars Powell and Westbrook, the Clippers sorely missed Leonard's offence. He had 38 points in a Game 1 win at Phoenix and 31 in a loss in Game 2.

The Suns pulled away in the third behind Booker. He scored eight points in a 17-8 run to open the period and give Phoenix its first double-digit lead of the game, 71-59.

Westbrook scored seven in a row to cut the Clippers' deficit to 71-66. The Suns answered with eight straight, capped by Durant's vicious one-handed slam, to lead 79-66. They were ahead by seven going into the fourth.