Joel Embiid scored 26 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 18 and the resurgent 76ers beat the Atlantic Division-leading Toronto Raptors, 94-89, on Wednesday night in Philadelphia 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 straight game.
With Embiid leading the way, the Sixers 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.
After DeMar DeRozan (25 points) 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.
Embiid then blocked Kyle Lowry’s shot and sent fans into a frenzy when he cupped both ears and motioned for more cheers. Fans chanted ‘‘MVP’’ and ‘‘Let’s Go Process’’ while he made two free throws.
Coming off a 36-point performance in a win at Brooklyn a night earlier, DeRozan missed his first six shots but finished strong with 14 points in the fourth quarter.
Embiid put all his skills on display on consecutive possessions early in the fourth quarter. He threw down a thunderous slam off a pass from Sergio Rodriguez and then nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the circle, earning a rousing ovation. Embiid opened his arms wide and raised them high in the air as fans went wild.
Dario Saric got the crowd on its feet screaming minutes later with consecutive blocked shots and then nailed a 3-pointer, pumping his fist twice as he went back on defense.
Wizards 104, Grizzlies 101 — Washington won its 13th consecutive game at home by edging Memphis behind two late layups from John Wall, who finished with 25 points and 13 assists.
James Ennis III missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer for Memphis.
The Wizards are just 4-13 on the road but now 18-6 at home, where they've compiled their longest winning streak since a 15-game run in the 1988-89 season.
Washington never trailed and led by as many as 19 points in the first half, then held on after a 10-0 run by Memphis made it a two-point game with 2 1/2 minutes left. That’s when Wall took over, scoring on consecutive drives.
Hornets 107, Trail Blazers 85 — Kemba Walker scored 23 points, Roy Hibbert (16 points) provided a huge boost off the bench, and host Charlotte stopped a five-game slide in beating Portland.
Pelicans 118, Magic 98 — Anthony Davis had 21 points and 15 rebounds and New Orleans cruised past road-weary, shorthanded Orlando.
Rockets 111, Bucks 92 — James Harden had 38 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds, and host Houston overpowered Milwaukee.
Pistons 118, Hawks 95 — Reggie Jackson scored 26 points to lead Detroit over Atlanta in Auburn Hills, Mich.
