76ers ride Simmons’ triple-double to thrilling win over Lebron, Cavs

PHILADELPHIA — Lebron James pulled Ben Simmons in for a hug, and smiled and laughed in a brief chat with Joel Embiid.

Allen Iverson watched the scene with a big grin and high-fived a few fans.

The 76ers of the past and present sure loved Lebron — but is that appreciation enough to make him a Sixer in the future?

Simmons topped James in a triple-double battle to lead the 76ers to their 13th straight win in their biggest game in six years, 132-130 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

Simmons had 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, and James had 44 points, 11 assists and 11 rebounds, bringing the Cavs to the brink of an epic comeback.

At Los Angeles, Jimmy Butler scored 18 points in his return from a 17game absence after knee surgery for Minnesota, which moved into sole possession of eighth in the West.

At Toronto, Serge Ibaka scored 25 points for Toronto, which clinched first place in the East for the first time in

Timberwolves 113, Lakers 96 — Raptors 92, Pacers 73 —

franchise history.

At Phoenix, Nikola Mirotic had 31 points and 16 rebounds for New Orleans, which moved into a tie for the West’s fifth seed.

At Washington, Taurean Prince scored 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter for Atlanta, which dropped Washington to eighth in the East.

At Memphis, Tenn., Bogdan Bogdanovich hit a 16-foot shot with one second left for Sacramento in a game with four lead changes in the final minute.

At Orlando, Fla., Malik Monk had 26 points and Dwight Howard 16 points and 17 rebounds for Charlotte, which halted a four-game skid.

Atnew York, rookie Damyean Dotson had 30 points and 11 rebounds for New York, which halted a four-game slide.

At Detroit, Reggie Jackson scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime for Detroit.

At Boston, Greg Monroe came off the bench and had 19 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for Boston.

Pelicans 122, Suns 103 — Hawks 103, Wizards 97 — Kings 94, Grizzlies 93 — Hornets 137, Magic 100 — Knicks 122, Heat 98 — Pistons 113, Mavericks 106, OT — Celtics 111, Bulls 104 —