Drummond no match for Embiid

Star big man Joel revels in the chances to go against Detroit center Andre Drummond. And Embiid doesn’t stop going at Drummond when the game is over.

Embiid scored 32 of his 39 points in a dominating first half and had 17 rebounds and then let Drummond know about it afterward, leading the 76ers to a 109-99 victory against the Pistons yesterday in Philadelphia. Embiid made 10-of-18 field goals and 18-of-23 free throws to help Philadelphia improve to 6-0 at home. Drummond and Embiid have butted heads throughout their careers, with Embiid recently saying he “owns real estate” in Drummond’s head after Detroit’s big man was ejected in the Pistons’ 133-132 overtime victory on Oct. 23. “He’s a fun matchup,” Embiid said. “I feel like I dominate every game, especially against him.” Pistons coach Dwane Casey and Drummond questioned the officiating. Drummond and backup Zaza Pachulia were in foul trouble early trying to guard Embiid. The teams combined for 63 fouls and 92 free throws. “I don’t understand how the game was being called,” Casey said. Said Drummond, “It’s like you have to play with your hands behind your back; you can’t really touch nobody. That’s the way they’re calling the game right now. I have to figure a way to adjust. It’s hard to play like that.” Embiid’s first-half numbers were astounding. He made 8-of-9 shots, including his only 3-point attempt, and 15-of17 free throw attempts with eight rebounds and two blocks in 17 minutes in a one-sided duel with Drummond. Rockets 96, Bulls 88 — James Harden scored 25 points, including 11 in a decisive run in the third quarter, in his return to the lineup and Houston won in Chicago. Harden, who had missed three games with a strained left hamstring, scored 11 straight points in a 1:59 span of the third as the Rockets went on a 15-0 run. Carmelo Anthony had 17 points and James Ennis added 15 as the Rockets won their second game in two nights after starting the season 1-5. Hornets 126, Cavaliers 94 — Jeremy Lamb had a seasonhigh 19 points and eight rebounds, and host Charlotte routed Cleveland. Kemba Walker had 18 points and Malik Monk added 16 for the Hornets, who improved to .500 on the season. Charlotte had balanced scoring throughout, with seven players finishing in double digits, five off the bench. J.R. Smith scored 14 points for the struggling Cavaliers (1-8), who are playing without the injured Kevin Love and put up very little resistance on defense. Hawks 123, Heat 118 — Trae Young had 24 points and a career-high 15 assists, and hsot Atlanta beat Miami. Taurean Prince and Dewayne Dedmon each scored 15 points for the Hawks, who had dropped four in a row. Young also had six rebounds in his ninth NBA game. Josh Richardson scored 32 points, setting a career high for the second time this week, but Miami lost its third straight game. Dwyane Wade had 19 points for the Heat. Elsewhere in the NBA — Tyson Chandler is going home. The Phoenix Suns are buying out Chandler’s contract, a move that will allow the 18-year veteran — once he clears waivers — to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.