Tuesday Around the NBA

76ers 121, Clippers 110

PHILADELPHIA

Nerlens Noel scored 19 points, Richaun Holmes had 18 and Philadelphia beat Los Angeles. Here was a twist ending not even M. Night Shyamalan could have scripted from his courtside seat: The Sixers played without injured center Joel Embiid and still beat Blake Griffin and the 30-win Clippers for their biggest victory of the season. The Sixers rallied from 19 points down and proved yet again they are now a team trying to win games instead of tank seasons. Embiid, out with a left knee contusion, waved his arms from the bench as the crowd shouted “Trust the Process” in the waning minutes of the victory.

Spurs 108, Raptors 106

TORONTO

LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points, Patty Mills added 18 off the bench and San Antonio beat Toronto for their fifth straight victory. Without Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Pau Gasol, the Spurs completed a season sweep of the Raptors following a 110-82 home victory earlier this month. Kyle Lowry had 30 points and reserve Terrence Ross added 21 for the Raptors, who have lost four in a row for the first time since March 4-10, 2015. In a back-and-forth fourth quarter that saw eight lead changes — after just two in the preceding 36 minutes — the Spurs finally took control on a floating jump shot from rookie Dejounte Murray with 1:29 to play.

Wizards 123, Celtics 108

WASHINGTON

Bradley Beal scored 13 of his 31 points in the fourth quarter and Washington extended their home winning streak to 14 games with a victory over Boston. John Wall added 27 points, and Markieff Morris had 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Wizards never trailed while scoring their most points this season. It came in a game they openly labeled a grudge match, even arriving at the Verizon Center in funeral-themed black clothing. Isaiah Thomas scored 25 points and had 13 assists, but shot 1 of 7 in the fourth quarter in Boston’s third straight loss.

Bulls 100, Magic 92

ORLANDO, FLA.

Dwyane Wade scored 21 points, Jimmy Butler added 20 and Chicago beat Orlando for their second straight victory. Facing an Orlando team that was missing three of its four top guards, Wade and Butler took full advantage with drives to the basket and pull-up jumpers as the Bulls pulled away in the fourth quarter. The turnover-prone Magic simply could not keep pace with a Bulls team that is going through point guard issues of its own with the surprising benching of Michael Carter-Williams. Nikola Vucevic had 20 points for the Magic, who have dropped two straight and 11 of their last 14 games.

Associated Press