Masked Embiid posts double-double in return from injury to help 76ers down Heat

Joel Embiid inspired the 76ers with his return from a facial injury, Danny Green and Tyrese Maxey each scored 21 points and Philadelphia beat the Miami Heat 99-79 in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Friday night.

Wearing a black mask, Embiid had 18 points and 11 rebounds after missing the first two games of the series.

Jimmy Butler scored 33 points for the Heat, who lead the series 2-1. Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.

But the 76ers sure were glad he was back.

"Any plan where you can have Joel as part of the plan is a much better plan," coach Doc Rivers said before the game.

Even Rivers couldn't draw up a plan that included the play that helped put away the game: Maxey made a full-court sprint to save a basketball with an over-the-shoulder toss. The 76ers kept the ball and Embiid buried a fall away bucket and sank the free throw for an 86-74 lead.