Joel Embiid puts on another MVP-caliber performance, Matisse Thybulle provides lockdown defense | Sixers-Timberwolves best/worst

MINNEAPOLIS — The 76ers did what they are supposed to do against an undermanned struggling team.

They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves, 118-94, Friday night at the Target Center. This victory gives the Sixers (14-6) a 1½-game lead over the second-place Brooklyn Nets atop the Eastern Conference standings.

Here’s a look at some of the best and worst awards from Friday night’s game:

Joel Embiid gets this. The Sixers center finished with a game-high 37 points to go with 11 rebounds before sitting out the fourth quarter. Sixteen of his points came in the third quarter on 6-for-7 shooting. The league MVP candidate scored the Sixers’ first eight points of the quarter.

» READ MORE: Joel Embiid, Sixers roll over Timberwolves, 118-94, avoiding a road letdown

Ricky Rubio received this award. The Timberwolves point guard missed four of his six shots in route to scoring four points. He also committed a game-high four turnovers.

This goes to Matisse Thybulle. The Sixers guard played a major role in Rubio’s rough night. He made life tough for him while finishing with game highs of three steals and two blocks.

This goes to the Sixers’ first-quarter shooting. They made 5 of 22 shots (22.7%).

This goes to Embiid first-half foul shooting. He went 12-for-12 during that time. His free throws were tied for the most by a player in either half during a game this season. (Trae Young made 12 in the second half versus the Detroit Pistons on Jan. 2).

» READ MORE: Three reasons the Sixers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves