Embiid, Harden double-doubles lift 76ers past Magic 105-94

leader, made all 10 of his free throws and was 9-of-17 shooting overall to help keep the Sixers within striking distance of the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Harden, a 10-time Allstar, hit six of Philadelphia's 14 3-pointers and grabbed nine rebounds.

“I'm not going to sit here and make a case,” Harden said. “The numbers show it.”

Markelle Fultz led the Magic with 18 points. The Magic have been the most improved team in the league since a nine-game losing streak left them at 5-20 in early December. They are 15-12 since then, which included a six-game winning streak.

“I really think it's a belief system,” coach Jamahl Mosley said. “Having them know that on any given night anything can happen. If you play hard, you give yourself a chance."

The Sixers used a 17-0 run in the first quarter to take a 56-53 lead into halftime. The Sixers' play with Embiid out again highlighted Philadelphia's need to try and acquire a reliable backup option for the big man. The Sixers were a plus12 when Embiid played in the half, while Montrezl Harrell (minus-6) and Paul Reed (minus-3) struggled in limited action. With the trade deadline ahead next week, 76ers President Daryl Morey will surely try and beef up the bench.

But don't expect a seismic deal like the one at last season's deadline, when the Sixers acquired Harden.

Rivers declined to talk about potential moves. But the thirdyear Sixers coach knows he has his best team yet in Philadelphia -- one that should contend for a championship.

“This team, I think is better, better equipped for the playoffs,” Rivers said. “I think we have toughness. We're not as young. I think we have less holes. Every team has holes.”

TIP-INS

Magic: Made 6 of 38 3-pointers.

“We couldn't throw it in the ocean,” Mosley said.

76ers: De'anthony Melton and Tyrese Maxey shot a combined 1 for 11 from the floor through three quarters. Maxey broke through for a 3 midway through the fourth for a 93-83 lead . ... Harden had his 14th game this season with at least 20 points and 10 assists.

DOC AND BRADY

Rivers was still the Boston Celtics coach the first time he was invited to be a guest speaker at a New England Patriots practice. Rivers had a casual friendship at the time with now-retired Tom Brady. They golfed together and Brady gave a few pep talks to the Celtics. Rivers recalled the first time he spoke at a Patriots practice, Brady walked in with a notebook, pen and sat dead center, front row.

“Then Randy Moss walked in,” Rivers said, laughing. “He grabbed Randy. He had an empty seat which he wouldn't let anyone else sit in and he grabbed Moss and said, right here. It was amazing how much he was writing while I was talking. I wanted to see what he was writing. Like, this guy is nuts. I don't know what he was writing. But it was really impressive the leadership he showed in that meeting. I thought it was really cool.”