Embiid's return to the lineup sparks the Sixers Thursday

Although wearing a mask because of an injury to his eye socket, Joel Embiid's return to the Sixers' lineup was a welcome one Thursday night. Embiid missed the first two games of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series with Miami due to the injury, but he came back in Game three Thursday night with 23 points. He led the team in scoring during the regular season at 22.9 points a game.

The Sixers now lead the best-of-seven series two games to one. Game 4 of the series is Saturday at 3 p.m. Eastern Time in Miami.

Dario Saric and Marco Belinelli also chipped in for the Sixers Thursday night with 21 points each in the 128-108 Philadelphia victory.

Goran Dragic led Miami Thursday night with 23 points and Justise Winslow added 19 points for the Heat in a losing effort for the hosts.

Miami led Philadelphia 64-63 at halftime Thursday night, but the Sixers shut down the Heat in the second half, particularly in the fourth quarter for the win. Including the last 16 games of the regular season, all wins, the Sixers have won 18 of their last 19 games.