Embiid stands tall as 76ers sink Nuggets

THE Philadelphia 76ers have extended their perfect home record this season to 13 wins with a hard-fought 97-92 defeat of Denver Nuggets.

It is Philly’s best start at home since winning 22 in a row in 1966. Joel Embiid had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists while Tobias Harris added 20 points as the Sixers improved to 18-7.

Ben Simmons played a complementary role for Philadelphia with seven points, nine rebounds and seven assists.

The victory was the Sixers’ third in a row and they have now won 11 of their past 13.

Will Barton led the Nuggets with 26 points while Nikola

Jokic had 15 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds.

The task for the visiting Nuggets (14-8) was too much after they lost leading scorer Jamal Murray to a hip injury midway through the opening quarter.

Meanwhile, Miami Heat used a 22-0 run late to overwhelm Atlanta Hawks in overtime and maintain their unbeaten home streak.

The Heat won 135-121 to make it 11 victories at home and hold onto third spot, ahead of the Sixers, in the eastern conference at 18-6.

Kendrick Nunn scored 36 points, Duncan Robinson tied a franchise record with 10 3pointers in his 34-point haul while Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo both contributed triple-doubles.

Butler had 20 points, a career-high 18 rebounds and 10 assists while Adebayo finished with a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Trailing by six points with just a minute to play in regulation, Robinson and Butler made threes to tie the game, before the Heat opened overtime on a 16-0 run.

It was the NBA’s widest margin of victory in an overtime game in more than a decade.

Charlotte Hornets defeated Washinton Wizards 114-107.