Surging 76ers surprise Toronto
Embiid shakes off flu, scores 26
Joel Embiid scored 26 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 18 and the resurgent Philadelphia 76ers beat the visiting Toronto Raptors, 94-89, Wednesday night for their seventh win in nine games.
Embiid, who was questionable because of the flu, surpassed 20 points in fewer than 30 minutes in his 10th consecutive game.
With Embiid leading the way, the 76ers are no longer the NBA’s laughingstock. They’re only 14-26 but have rejuvenated a city that has patiently waited for a winner through three miserable seasons.
DeMar DeRozan scored 25 for the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors, and Kyle Lowry had 24 points.
After DeRozan gave Toronto an 86-85 lead, Embiid made a tying free throw. Embiid then grabbed a rebound after DeRozan missed a jumper and T.J. McConnell’s layup put Philadelphia ahead 88-86 with 1:09 left. Cory Joseph missed a 3-pointer on Toronto’s ensuing possession and McConnell sank a pair of free throws.
Other games
Wizards 104, Grizzlies 101: A vastly different team at home, the Wizards won their 13th consecutive game in Washington by edging Memphis behind two late layups from John Wall, who finished with 25 points and 13 assists. The Wizards are just 4-13 on the road but now 186 at home.
Hornets 107, Trail Blazers 85: Kemba Walker scored 23 points, Roy Hibbert provided a huge boost off the bench, and host Charlotte stopped a five-game slide. Hibbert, who came in averaging 5.2 points per game, had a season-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
Knicks 117, Celtics 106: Derrick Rose matched his season high with 30 points, helping the slumping Knicks to the road win. New York played without injured starters Kristaps Porzingis and Joakim Noah, but Mindaugas Kuzminskas and Willy Hernangomez each scored 17 points. Isaiah Thomas led Boston with 39 points.
Pelicans 118, Magic 98: Anthony Davis had 21 points and 15 rebounds and New Orleans cruised past roadweary, short-handed Orlando.
Rockets 111, Bucks 92: James Harden had 38 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, and Houston beat Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 32 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 blocks for Milwaukee.
Pistons 118, Hawks 95: Host Detroit jumped all over Atlanta, taking a commanding 42-18 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Pistons Reggie Jackson led all scorers with 26 and Paul Millsap had 21 for Atlanta.