Embiid lifts 76ers with no-look shot

PHILADELPHIA 97 DENVER 92

Joel Embiid threw the ball over his shoulder into the basket and celebrated the no-look shot with a little shake and shimmy for the crowd. It was vintage Embiid — and something the fun-loving center wants to do more.

Yes, the Philadelphia 76ers are winning. But their star big man wants to be in the middle of it.

Embiid scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and hit two key free throws with 15.3 seconds left to keep Philadelphia perfect at home with a 97-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night.

The 76ers have won three straight and seven of eight.

Embiid added 10 rebounds but once again struggled offensively down the stretch. After being benched late in Sunday’s 110-104 win over Toronto for committing three straight turnovers, he missed a three-pointer, a jumper and committed a turnover in crunch time before making the foul shots.

“I need to be myself,” he said. “When I’m having fun, I dominate.”

Embiid said he is trying to be more mature since his two-game suspension for fighting Karl-Anthony Towns, followed by a barrage of insults on social media.

Embiid, however, let loose after his improbable shot.

Will Barton had 26 points to lead the Nuggets, who have lost three in a row and five of six. Leading scorer Jamal Murray was injured with 6:49 left in the first quarter when he collided with Ben Simmons and didn’t return. He has a contusion, the team announced.

at Miami 135, Atlanta 121 (OT):

Kendrick Nunn scored 36 points, Duncan Robinson scored 34 and tied a franchise record with 10 three-pointers, and the Heat scored 22 unanswered points down the stretch to win in overtime. Bam Adebayo had a career-high 30 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Jimmy Butler also had a tripledouble with 20 points, a careerhigh 18 rebounds and 10 assists as the Heat moved to 11-0 at home.

at Charlotte 114, Washington 107:

Devonte Graham scored 29 points, Miles Bridges hit a big three-pointer with 7.7 seconds left, and the Hornets handed the Wizards their sixth loss in seven games.

at Portland 115, New York 87:

Damian Lillard had 31 points, including eight three-pointers, and the Trail Blazers handed the Knicks their 10th straight loss. Carmelo Anthony scored 16 points against his old Knicks team.