Red-hot Embiid lifts Philly

Joel Embiid had 41 points and 13 rebounds, helping the 76ers beat the Los Angeles Clippers 122-113 last night in Philadelphia. It was Embiid’s sixth game already this season with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Simmons added 14 points and 11 assists, bouncing back nicely from one of his worst games as a pro. Markelle Fultz provided a spark late in the third quarter and finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and five assists while helping Philadelphia improve to 5-0 at home. Lou Williams scored 26 points for the Clippers, and Danilo Gallinari had 25. Tobias Harris finished with 24 points. Nuggets 110, Cavaliers 91 — Juancho Hernangomez scored 23 points, Paul Millsap added 16 and visiting Denver rolled past Cleveland. The Nuggets won their third straight to improve to 7-1. On Wednesday, they beat Chicago 108-107 in overtime on Millsap’s putback with 0.1 seconds left. Jordan Clarkson led Cleveland with 17 points, and Cedi Osman added 13. Collin Sexton, the No. 8 overall pick, had 12 points. The Cavaliers dropped to 1-7. They have split two games under “acting” coach Larry Drew. The Cavaliers had another busy day off the court. Drew said contract negotiations with the team are going in a positive direction. Drew replaced Tyronn Lue, who was fired Sunday, but wants the Cavs to restructure his contract if he’s going to become the team’s interim coach. Guard J.R. Smith said he wants to be traded after being dropped from the rotation. The 15-year veteran has played in four of Cleveland’s eight games. A few fans began a “We want J.R.” chant as Denver built the lead in the second half. And commissioner Adam Silver announced the Cavaliers have been awarded the 2022 NBA All-Star Game. The game will be a cornerstone event during the league’s 75th anniversary. Thunder 111, Hornets 107 — Russell Westbrook had 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds, and visiting Oklahoma City overcame a 19-point third-quarter deficit to beat Charlotte. Alex Abrines had 25 points on five 3-pointers for the Thunder, who won their third straight. Malik Monk and Kemba Walker each had 21 points to lead the Hornets, who shot 11-of-41 from 3-point range. Kings 146, Hawks 115 — De’Aaron Fox set career highs with 31 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds for his first career triple-double, and visiting Sacramento beat Atlanta for its fifth straight win. Buddy Hield scored 27 points and Nemanja Bjelica had 19 for the Kings, whose winning streak includes four straight against Eastern Conference teams, including the last three on the road.