Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers rookie center, continues to make the most of his opportunities. In doing so, he has helped the downtrodden Sixers fashion a modest home winning streak.Embiid scored 26 points, the highest total in his nine-game NBA career, to lead Philadelphia to a 120-105 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, the Sixers third straight home victory.On Monday, he faces a sizable challenge when the Miami Heat, featuring NBA rebounding leader Hassan Whiteside, visits Philadelphia (3-10).Whiteside, who had 18 points, 18 boards and three blocked shots in the Heats 114-111 victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, is averaging 17.7 points, 16.2 rebounds and 2.8 blocks for Miami (4-8).Embiid, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, missed his first two seasons while recovering from a pair of foot surgeries. The team has been limiting him to 24 minutes a game as a precaution and will do so until at least Christmas. He has also been held out of four games to date.Embiid, who is averaging 22 minutes a game, nonetheless leads the Sixers in scoring (18.0) and rebounding (7.6).On Saturday, he poured in 17 points in the first quarter. Embiid told reporters afterward he was hoping to atone for the teams dismal performance on national television Thursday, a 110-86 loss at Minnesota.Thats just probably one of the main reasons I came out (on fire) in the first quarter, he told the Philadelphia Inquirer. I just wanted to dominate.Embiid added that he was further motivated by social media criticism about being outplayed by Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns had 25 points and 10 rebounds while Embiid finished with 10 points and 10 boards. Embiid didnt think the criticism was justified because Towns didnt guard him.That made me mad, Embiid told the Inquirer. And thats food for me. I like that. I like competition. I want to fight. I want to win. So tonight I think it helped me a little bit.Miami guard Goran Dragic scored 22 points against Washington on Saturday, as the Heat won back-to-back games for the first time this season. Miami, which dropped six straight prior to that, generated a season-high point total and made half its shots. The Heat was shooting 42 percent from the floor, third-worst in the NBA, entering the game.Much better, Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told the Miami Herald. We still have a long ways to go. But guys are getting more comfortable, one in their roles and two where our strengths are. So thats a start.Heat backup center Willie Reed is not expected to play Monday, after hyperextending his right knee against Washington.Top overall pick Ben Simmons (foot) has yet to play this season for the Sixers, and is not expected to return until January at the earliest. Philadelphia has also been without guard Jerryd Bayless (wrist) and center/forward Nerlens Noel (knee), but both have ramped up their rehab in the last week.Adidas Continental 80 Korting . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Adidas NMD Dames Outlet . 10 Texas Rangers jersey for one last time. Young formally announced his retirement Friday after returning to Rangers Ballpark, his baseball home for all but the last of his 13 major league seasons. http://www.nmdbelgie.com/kopen-yeezy-boost-350-v2-sale.html . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Yeezy Boost 350 v2 Kopen Belgie . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Adidas NMD Uitverkoop . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months.We examine the Sky Bet Championship play-offs as Brighton, Hull, Derby and Sheffield Wednesday battle it out for a place in the Premier League.Who? What? When? How?With the help of Ian Holloway, we analyse each teams chances of promotion to the Premier League as they battle to hit the £170m jackpot. Sky Bet offer The Football League sponsor are top price on all four teams in the play-off outright here. Semi-final 1: Sheffield Wednesday/Brighton (First leg 2-0)Leg 2: Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday - Monday, May 16 (Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm) Sheffield Wednesday Manager: Carlos CarvalhalFinal position: 6th (74 points)Recent form: LDDDWL Highlights of the Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Sheffield Wednesday and Brighton, which ended 2-0 to the hosts Season summary: The Hillsborough faithful can finally start to dream again. They are just three games away from ending their 16-year hiatus from the top tier of English football.Owner Dejphon Chansiri has cleared the £15million debts at the club and loosened the purse strings to fund a savvy recruitment drive which has attracted quality attacking players.Since hammering Wolves 4-1 in late December, they havent looked back, losing just three of the following 17 games. Automatic promotion was a possibility with six games left, but the relentless winning run of the top three plus a blip in form put pay to that chance.Play-off history: Winners (2005)Ollies key man: Barry Bannan: The little genius! He makes Sheffield Wednesday tick from midfield. If given the space he can run a game for you. Hes been sensational this season. Barry Bannan can run a game from midfield for Sheffield Wednesday, according to Ollie BrightonThe manager: Chris Hughton Final position: 3rd (89 points)Recent form: WWWWDD Carlos Carvalhal was very happy after Sheffield Wednesdays 2-0 first-leg victory over Brighton Season summary: Although they fell at the final hurdle against Middlesbrough, that should not detract from a remarkable season for the Seagulls. It is easy to forget that they flirted with relegation last campaign, finishing 20th.A record-breaking run of 21 games unbeaten laid their marker down for and they finished with a flourish too, racking up a 14-game unbeaten sequence.To reach 89 points and not make the top two (lost out on goal difference) is a unique and potentially deflating occurrence. Will that affect them heading into the end-of-season shootout? Play-off history: Winners (1991, 2004). Beaten semi-finalists (2013, 2014) Ollies key man: Beram Kayal: There is a big responsibility on his shoulders with his partner in crime Dale Stephens suspended, but I think hell thrive on it. Hes been one of the signings of the season. Beram Kayal (left) has been one of the signings of the season for Brighton, says Ollie Semi-final 2: Derby/Hull (First leg 0-3) Highlights of Hulls 3-0 win at Derby in the first leg Leg 2: Hull v Derby - Tuesday, May 17 (Sky Sports 2 HD from 7.dddddddddddd30pm) Derby CountyManager: Darren WassallFinal position: 5th (78 points)Recent form: WWWDDLSeason summary: A mixed bag of a campaign. New head coach Paul Clement looked to building an easy-on-the-eye team capable of winning the title but a wobble in form and a breakdown in communication with the owner lead to Clements dismissal in February.Following their incomprehensible implosion last season, it looked as though a similar fate was awaiting them as they dropped to sixth in March. But new boss Darren Wassall galvanised his troops to comfortably nail a play-off place.Play-off history: Winners (2007). Beaten finalists (1994, 2014). Beaten semi-finalists (2005).Ollies key man: Tom Ince: He has the skills to come alive in the play-offs, like he did for me at Blackpool, scoring at Wembley in the final. Hes a match-winner. Tom Ince (right) has performed in a play-off final before Hull CityManager: Steve BruceFinal position: 4th (83 points)Recent form: WWDWLWSeason summary: It seems from the outside that last years Premier League relegation hasnt had too much long-standing damage on Hull City.Barring their woeful run of 10 games without a win in March/April, they have been knocking on the promotion door all season, trading at odds-on to go up for most of the campaign. Steve Bruce says Derbys limited attacking play was testament to Hull in their 3-0 first-leg win at the iPro Stadium It is a squad packed with Premier League quality, who conceded only 12 goals at home all season. Play-off history: Winners (2008). Beaten semi-finalists (2001).Ollies key man: Robert Snodgrass: He looks to be peaking at the right time following his injury nightmares. When fully fit, he is a Premier League-class player who has the ability to shine on the big stage. Hull Citys Robert Snodgrass is a big-game player, in Ollies opinion Ollies first-leg prediction: I was worried about Derbys mentality earlier this season, but theyve turned a corner in that regard. On their day, they can wipe the floor with anyone.This is a tough test for Hull, who Im shocked didnt finish in the top two. They have relied on Abel Hernandez to score their goals this season - no one else has chipped in regularly - and they have slipped up in too many winnable games.Both these teams have unbelievable talent on show. This game could be any scoreline if there is an early goal, especially now George Thorne is missing for Derby. He gives his back four plenty of protection.In their last seven league games, both teams have scored a total of 28 goals. I fancy a thriller here with Derby just edging it.OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-2 (Sky Bet odds 33/1)Also See:Burnley presented with trophyHow to win the play-offsFL play-offs: Who, when, where?Super 6 ' ' '