East Notes: Sixers, Joel Embiid, Pacers, Knicks

76ers

All-Star center Joel Embiid is averaging 38.3 points over the last 12 games, including a season-high 51 in Wednesday’s home win over the Timberwolves.

“I felt like I was playing within the offense and not forcing anything,” said Embiid, who has scored 40 or more in four of his last five games. “I took what was being given to me. And I’ve been trying to figure out is when to be aggressive and when to let my teammates do their thing.”

All of it has the Sixers inching toward the top of the Eastern Conference.

“We’re winning and that’s all that matters,” Embiid said. “Stats are great and it’s great to put up stats. But if it comes with a loss, then that’s a different story. If it comes with a win, it means a lot.”

• Coach Nick Nurse on Embiid: “He’s continuing to get better and he’s just doing enough different things rhythmically to keep those guys guessing. He has a feel that if guys step into him, he can get them. And I like when he goes downhill.”
• In case you missed it, the Sixers are reportedly monitoring Bulls guard Zach LaVine and Raptors forward OG Anunoby as possible trade candidates. We have that full story here.

Pacers

The Pacers snapped a four-game skid in beating the Hornets on Wednesday, their first win since advancing to the In-Season Tournament title game.

“Our offense looked better,” point guard Tyrese Haliburton told reporters. “We got a lot of good looks. I thought we went back to the basics on a lot of stuff (in practice), and it helped. A good win for us. Just figured out a way to win.”

• Added shooting guard Buddy Hield: “Winning cures a lot. Everybody’s relieved. Coming off the high of the in-season tournament, we rode the storm (out). (Thursday night at Memphis) we have another storm to weather. Ja Morant is back.”

Knicks

The Knicks beat the Nets at the Barclays Center for the first time in four years on Wednesday, with Julius Randle (26 points) leading the way.

“Everything’s back to normal I guess,” Randle told reporters.

• Like the Nets, the Knicks were returning from a long trip out West. They went 2-2 on that trip. “When they tell us the ball’s going up at this time, we’re ready,” coach Tom Thibodeau said.
• The Knicks are likely on the lookout for another center after it was announced that Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is out for the season. Jericho Sims, who started each of the last five games, is now also out for about two months after spraining his ankle.