JALEN SMITH

Joel Embiid made his closing argument for MVP votes and all but wrapped up the NBA scoring title as the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Indiana Pacers 133-120.

Deandre Ayton scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee 131-107 in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals won by the Bucks.

Chris Paul had a triple-double with 14 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists to help the short-handed Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 106-89 on Thursday night.

Devin Booker scored 24 points, Jalen Smith tied a career high with 19 points and 12 rebounds and the short-handed Phoenix Suns hammered the Charlotte Hornets 133-99.

JaVale McGee scored 17 points, Deandre Ayton added 15 and the Phoenix Suns cruised to a 118-98 victory over the Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a non-COVID-19 illness, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 in overtime.

Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden dishes around Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)PHOENIX – James Harden scored 38 points, Joe Harris added 22 and the Brooklyn Nets overcame a 24-point deficit to stun the Phoenix Suns 128-124 on Tuesday night. The Nets were playing without two of their three main stars, but Harden was more than up for the challenge against the Suns. Chris Paul scored 29 points, including 17 in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough for the Suns. The 28-year-old Johnson spent the first half of last season with the Suns before being released in February.

Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, right, looks for a shot over Denver Nuggets guard Facundo Campazzo during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Denver. Moments like this are precisely why the Suns acquired Paul in a deal with Oklahoma City. “Him being able to knock down shots, and the ability and will to take those shots, is huge for us,” Suns coach Monty Williams said. But on the advice of Paul, Williams decided to challenge the play. The Denver big man is posting big numbers but his production isn’t translating into wins as the Nuggets fell to 1-4.

In an NBA season unlike any other, the Miami Heat exceeded all expectations and bulldozed through the Eastern Conference before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games in the NBA Finals. Erik Spoelstra’s squad has the 20th pick in Wednesday’s 2020 NBA Draft, and they have a bevy of options to explore in their position outside of the lottery. Target #1: Theo Maledon – guard, ASVEL/FranceThe Heat are renowned for its player development program, turning undrafted players like Kendrick Nunn, Derrick Jones Jr. and Robinson into excellent NBA players. Taking this into account, guard Theo Maledon is a player the Heat should keep an eye on. Green is an ideal fit for the modern NBA game, and would be seamlessly integrated into the Heat rotation at the wing forward position.

Maryland guard Anthony Cowan Jr. (1) goes to the basket for a layup during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Michigan State, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in College Park, Md. – Each member of the Maryland basketball team took turns gripping the trophy awarded to the Big Ten Conference champions. 9 Terrapins that their 83-70 victory over 25th-ranked Michigan on Sunday was good for only a share of the regular-season title. Maryland moved into a first-place tie with Wisconsin, and Michigan State joined the fray at the top by defeating Ohio State later Sunday. And that was good enough for Maryland, which received its first Big Ten championship trophy since joining the league in 2014.

9 Maryland on Wednesday night, capping a furious comeback for a 74-73 victory with a 10-1 run over the final 2:06. “Foul troubles, everything, I didn't know if we were ever going to get over the hump,” coach Mark Turgeon said. “When it left my hand, honestly, I thought it was going to hit off the backboard and go in," Morsell said. Wiggins intercepted a cross-court pass by Carr and went the other way for a one-handed slam, bringing Maryland within 66-62. BIG PICTUREMaryland: Cowan had his second consecutive quiet game, going just 2 for 15 from the floor to fall to 3 for 19 over his last two contests.

IOWA CITY, IA – The Iowa Hawkeyes were down to eight scholarship players and still outplayed No. Joe Wieskamp scored 26 points and Big Ten scoring leader Luka Garza had 21 as Iowa beat Maryland 67-49 Friday night. The Hawkeyes (11-5, 2-3 Big Ten) got more balanced scoring in the second half, leading by as many as 22 points. “When we play connected defensively, and when we’re rebounding, not giving them second shots, we can be really good,” Wieskamp said. “It’s a long season,” Turgeon said.

11 Ohio State 67-55 Tuesday night and remain unbeaten at home. But we beat a really, really good team that I think can win a national championship if things go the right way for them in March." On this night, Ohio State (11-4, 1-3) looked nothing like a contender. And it's not just the length inside," Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. Kaleb Wesson scored 15 for Ohio State, and Andre Wesson and D.J.