76ers survive late threat from Clippers to win 119-113

LOS ANGELES (AP):

The energy was flowing late and that's just the way the Philadelphia 76ers like it.

Joel Embiid notched his NBA-leading 32nd double-double of the season in his return, and Philadelphia withstood a furious rally by the Los Angeles Clippers in a chippy fourth quarter for a 119-113 victory on Tuesday night to open the new year.

"The game was physical, and I like it physical and aggressive," Embiid said. "This was a huge win for us."

Embiid was a game-time decision after missing one game because of a sore left knee. He didn't appear hindered while recording 28 points and 19 rebounds. He scored 15 points in the first quarter, including 10 of the Sixers' final 16.

"My goal is to be dominant [in] every game," Embiid said. "If I dominate, the numbers will come, but most important is that we win."

He hit a 3-pointer early in the second, one of five by the Sixers in the period that propelled them to a 76-58 half-time lead. They built their largest lead of the game - 24 points - on a 3-pointer by Landry Shamet.

"Give Philly credit," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "They were the instigators all game. They deserved to win. They played harder for longer."

The Clippers closed within four in the fourth on Montrezl Harrell's three-point play. He was rejected by Embiid but got the ball back and scored, drew the foul, and made the free throw.

Huge dunk

But Embiid scored to keep the Sixers ahead 114-108. Lou Williams and Harrell combined to miss three of four free throws and Ben Simmons scored. Simmons punctuated the win with a huge dunk.

Former Clipper J.J. Redick added 18 points and Jimmy Butler scored 16 before being ejected to help Philadelphia improve to eight-11 on the road. Simmons just missed a triple-double with 14 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.

"I'd get (angry) if those guys were doing those things to me that they were doing to Jimmy and Joel," Simmons said. "But we made key buckets down the stretch and played tough defence. I'm getting more comfortable with my jumper and our team is learning to play their roles, and we're playing better together."

The Clippers outscored the Sixers 30-25 in the third and 25-18 in the fourth.

Williams led the Clippers with 22 points off the bench. Tobias Harris and Danilo Gallinari finished with 21 points each, and Harrell had 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Tuesday's results: Toronto 122 Utah 116; Milwaukee 121 Detroit 98; Denver 115 New York 108; Portland 113 Sacramento 108, OT; Philadelphia 119 L.A. Clippers 113.