Pro Sports

Embiid scores 32, 76ers hold off Hornets again 110-106

Posted December 08, 2021 6:00 am

By STEVE REED

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) is fouled while attempting to dunk over Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) - Joel Embiid had 32 points, Seth Curry added 23 points and eight assists, and the Philadelphia 76ers beat the Charlotte Hornets for the second time in three nights, 110-106 on Wednesday night.

Tobias Harris added 18 points in a rematch of a game the 76ers won 127-124 in overtime Monday night on the same court.

Gordon Hayward had a season-high 31 points and seven assists for the Hornets, who played without five rotational players, including last year's NBA Rookie of the Year LaMelo Ball due to NBA health and safety protocols.

Kelly Oubre Jr., who had 35 points in Charlotte's loss Monday night, finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds but finished just 3 of 12 from beyond the arc and missed a free throw that would have made it a one-possession game with 7 seconds left.

The Hornets have lost five of their last six.

Embiid, who had 43 points and 15 rebounds in the previous matchup, wasn't as dominant with his fadeaway jumper but made 15 of 19 foul shots.

The 76ers entered the fourth quarter with an 82-81 lead.

For the second time in three nights, the short-handed Hornets played the 76ers tight in a game that featured 16 lead changes and 12 ties.

P.J. Washington banked home a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 3:25 left to give the Hornets a 98-97 lead, igniting the crowd.

Danny Green and Embiid answered with 3s to swing the momentum back to Philadelphia. Embiid then added a dunk on a drive down the middle of the lane to extend the lead to seven with 1:53 remaining.

The Hornets clawed back behind another 3 from Washington and a backcourt steal by Cody Martin that resulted in a dunk for Oubre to cut the lead to 107-104 with 29.9 seconds left.

Harris made two free throws to push the lead to five and the Hornets never got within three again.

The game had some heated moments.

Late in the second quarter, Philadelphia's Andre Drummond and Charlotte's Miles Bridges exchanged words and had to be separated by teammates before both players were assessed a technical foul.

TIP-INS

76ers: Tyrese Maxey returned to the starting lineup after sitting out a game with an illness. ... Scored 23 points off 19 Charlotte turnovers.

Hornets: Center Nick Richards rolled his left ankle in the second quarter but was able to return. ... Miles Bridges had 20 points.

UP NEXT

76ers: Host the Jazz on Thursday night.

Hornets: Host the Kings on Friday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) makes a jump shot over Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward (20) defends Philadelphia 76ers forward Danny Green (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Philadelphia 76ers guard Seth Curry (31) passes the ball over Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Philadelphia 76ers center Andre Drummond (1) makes a slam dunk over Charlotte Hornets forward P.J. Washington (25) and guard James Bouknight (5)during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (11) brings the ball up court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) dunks over Charlotte Hornets center Nick Richards (14) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges (0) looks to pass while being guarded by Philadelphia 76ers guard Matisse Thybulle (22) and guard Shake Milton (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

Charlotte Hornets forward Cody Martin (11) loses the ball while attempting to drive past Philadelphia 76ers guard Shake Milton (18) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley) The Associated Press

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