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MINNEAPOLIS -- The Philadelphia 76ers and Minnesota Timberwolves had a combined record of 5-16 heading into their game on Thursday night, which may not seem an ideal matchup to be featured on TNT.But the network folks understand that these two long-suffering franchises boast some of the most intriguing young talent in the league. And the Timberwolves showed just how much further along they are in the rebuilding process.Andrew Wiggins had 35 points, 10 rebounds and four assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 110-86 victory over the 76ers.Karl-Anthony Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds and Gorgui Dieng added 12 points and 10 boards for the Wolves (4-7). The Wolves shot 50.6 percent and avoided the poor third quarter that had plagued them this season.I think that theyre a lot further ahead for all the obvious reasons, and its not a lack of respect or disservice to our guys at all, Sixers coach Brett Brown said. This group that youre looking at played with each other all last year, many, many, many, many games together.Joel Embiid had 10 points and 10 rebounds in 23 minutes after sitting out the front end of Philadelphias back-to-back on Wednesday night. Dario Saric led the way with 16 points, but the 76ers lost their 21st straight road game.Theyre young and theyre still going to get better, and thats where weve got to get to, Embiid said. When you learn how to play with each other, its easier to play.Wiggins made 14 of 20 shots, including 3 of 6 3-pointers. The Wolves had been outscored by a league-worst 91 points in 10 third quarters this season, but they led by 28 at halftime on Thursday night, rendering a minus-1 in this game moot.At times last year I would drift to the corner and stay there, Wiggins said. Im just being more active. My awareness is higher. Im doing more.In a matchup of two of the best young big men in the league, Towns blew past Embiid to throw down a ferocious dunk in the fourth quarter to get the crowd on its feet. He made 12 of 18 shots.TIP-INS76ers: The last time the Sixers won a road game was Jan. 20 at Orlando. ... Nik Stauskas had 13 points and five rebounds. ... Philly scored just 33 points on 31 percent shooting, tied for its lowest scoring output of the season.Timberwolves: Wiggins entered the game leading the NBA in 3-point shooting at 55 percent. ... F Shabazz Muhammad (sore right knee) and G/F Brandon Rush (right big toe) were both out again.NERVOUS FANSEmbiid missed the first two seasons after being drafted because of foot problems, and even in visiting arenas there is an audible gasp every time the 7-foot center falls to the court. He got tangled with Ricky Rubio early in the first quarter and appeared to be clutching his left ankle as he went to the bench. He was able to return in the second quarter, much to the relief of NBA fans everywhere.He waited so long to actually play and now hes dominating, said Wiggins, who was college teammates with Embiid at Kansas. Hes playing short minutes, but hes still getting numbers and playing really good.Embiid hit the deck again in the fourth when Wolves forward Adreian Payne threw him down while wrestling for a rebound. Payne was given a technical foul.GOOD CROWDThe Wolves announced attendance of 16,866, easily the largest of the year. It came one game after the arena was half-empty for a game against Charlotte. The low attendance early has been a troubling sign for an organization that was hoping to turn the corner this season.The Wolves targeted this game and select others to cluster their group tickets in hopes of padding attendance. They also offered season ticket holders two free additional tickets to the game to try to get more fans, which have been slow to spend their money this season thanks to Minnesotas 3-7 start, out to the game.UP NEXT76ers: Head back home to host Phoenix on Saturday.Timberwolves: Hit the road after a four-game home stand to face Memphis for the third time already this season. .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable.MIAMI -- Indiana Pacers centre Roy Hibbert was fined $75,000 on Sunday by the NBA for using a gay slur and cursing during his news conference after Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals. Hibbert also apologized for the comments. "While Roy has issued an apology, which is no doubt sincere, a fine is necessary to reinforce that such offensive comments will not be tolerated by the NBA," Commissioner David Stern said in a statement. Earlier Sunday, the team issued a statement from Hibbert in which he said he was sorry for his "insensitive remarks." "They were disrespectful and offensive and not a reflection of my personal views," he said in the statement. "I used a slang term that is not appropriate in any setting, private or public, and the language I used definitely has no place in a public forum, especially over live television." After Saturday nights win, Hibbert ended a response to a question about his defence on Miamis LeBron James with "no homo," a phrase that implies fear of appearing gay. He also called reporters an offensive term. Before departing for Miami, where Game 7 will be played Monday night, Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters he had already spoken with Hibbert and described the 2012 All-Star centre as "contrite." Players were not available Sunday. With the series tied at three games apiece and a trip to the NBA Finals at stake Monday, distractions are the last thing this young Pacers squad needs as it tries to prevent the Heat from making what many expected to be a stroll into their third straight NBA Finals. The Pacers have appeared in the finals only once, in 2000, when they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. So Vogel did what he couuld to calm down the brewing controversy while still backing the big man who has given Indiana this chance by routinely beating up the defending NBA champions inside.dddddddddddd "Its simple. I support him. I know hes not that person and that it was a mistake," Vogel said. "He knows hes wrong. I didnt have to tell him that and we all love and support him." Hibbert said Saturday night that he didnt care if he got fined. In his statement Sunday, he said, "I sincerely have deep regret over my choice of words last night." Hibbert had drawn a key charge on James in Indianas 91-77 victory that evened the series and lamented not providing enough help defensively to teammate Paul George on James in Game 3. Hibbert was later asked why he finished so low in voting for Defensive Player of the Year, telling reporters that it was "because yall (expletives) dont watch us play throughout the year, to tell you the truth." There was some irony in that Hibbert was sharing the dais with George when he said those words. George was the NBAs Most Improved Player this season, as selected earlier this spring by a voting panel of writers and broadcasters who cover the league. The 7-foot-2 Hibberts star turn has been a major reason Indiana has pushed the defending champion Heat to a Game 7. He has averaged 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in the series, up from 11.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in the regular season. But now, suddenly, the Pacers big man who has been the talk of the series has become the centre of attention for a different reason. "Obviously, he made a great mistake. He feels horribly about it," Vogel said. "I told him, basically, that weve got to move on from it." ' ' '
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