Embiid leads Sixers past Lebron-led Lakers

PHILADELPHIA — Magic Johnson and LeBron James have captured eight NBA titles between them. With Johnson in the stands and James on the court, the Philadelphia 76ers showed off their own championship potential.

Joel Embiid had 37 points and 14 rebounds, Tobias Harris scored 22 points in his second game with Philadelphia, and the new-look 76ers beat James and the Los Angeles Lakers 143-120 on Sunday.

JJ Redick added 21 points for the Sixers, who have won two straight after acquiring Harris and four others at Thursday’s trade deadline. Jimmy Butler finished with 15 points in front of a packed Philly crowd that brought a playoff-like feel to the nationally televised game.

“The East better watch out,” said Johnson, the Lakers president who made the trip to Philly for the game. “This is a stacked team.”

Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 39 points while James had 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

James was facing Philadelphia for the first time since the Sixers made a big push to sign the superstar as a free agent last summer. He and Kuzma both missed the last matchup with Philly on Jan. 29, which the Sixers won 121-105.

“I thought they were going to be very good anyway before they made any moves, before the season even started,” James said. “And they’ve made a bunch of moves to improve their club.”AP

AP Photo DOUBLED. Los Angeles Lakers' Brandon Ingram, center, goes up for the shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, of Cameroon, and Jimmy Butler, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Philadelphia.