To the NBA where the Philadelphia 76ers hosted San Antonio looking to end a run of 11 straight losses to the Spurs. Their task would be made much easier by Spurs coach Gregg Poppovich benching Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker, and other key players to rest up after their second back-to-back games. Joel Embiid was doubtful for the Sixers with a sprained right hand, but the center would take the court and turn in a solid performance.

With about 15 seconds to go in the first quarter, JJ Redick buries the three. Philly lead 27-22. Midway through the second quarter, Dario Saric hits from deep to put the Sixers up 12. Four minutes into the third, Embiid shows his hand is just fine as he completes the alley-oop while getting fouled then mugs for the fans. San Antonio start to come back as Patty Mills connects on the three while drawing contact, leading to a four point play for the Australian.  

Less than five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, Embiid has it knocked loose but recovers to put Philly up 98-96. He would finish with 21 points and 11 rebounds. But the Spurs tie it up again when Lamarcus Aldridge gets the big one-handed putback for two of his 24 points.

And San Antonio take the lead when Mills hits the triple. He would have a game-high 26 points.

Under two minutes now and Ben Simmons scores three points on goaltending and a free throw. That makes it 106-103 Sixers.

And then Simmons helps ice it in style with a two-handed jam. The rookie of the year candidate has a game-high 26 points, Philly win 112-106.

Steph Curry scored 32 as Golden State edged Dallas who have changed their Chinese name from Xiao Niu to Du Xing Xia, Boston's Terry Rozier had 20 points in 20 minutes to steal the spotlight from Kyrie Irving and Lebron James in the Celtics win, Demar Derozan had 35 in Toronto's triumph, Houston won without the injured James Harden, Brooklyn snuck past Minnesota, and Giannis Antetokonmpo had 31 points and 10 rebounds in the Bucks blowout.