The Eastern Conference-leading Sixers had won six of seven, with the only defeat during that span coming a week ago to the Trail Blazers, 121-105. It was just the second loss at home for the Sixers.<\/p>\n
After a back-and-forth game, the 76ers held the edge going into the final period but Carmelo Anthony hit three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Blazers a 102-97 lead with 8:28 left.<\/p>\n
Anthony added a pair of jumpers that made it 108-101. The Sixers came back to narrow the gap to 108-107 on Seth Curry's pull-up jumper and Simmons' layup.<\/p>\n
Tobias Harris' free throws knotted the game at 109 before Gary Trent Jr.'s 3-pointer put the Blazers back in front. Lillard added a basket to make it 114-109 with 1:15 left.<\/p>\n
Embiid's pull-up closed the margin, then Curry's 3-pointer tied it at 114 with 22.1 seconds left. Tripped by Harris, Anthony made a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Robert Covington got a deflection and steal on the inbounds play and Lillard made free throws to close it out.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Embiid came in averaging 29.1 points per game, good for fourth in the NBA. He averaged 34.1 points and 10.1 rebounds over the last nine heading into Thursday's game.<\/p>\n
Damian Lillard was third in the league, averaging 29.4 points a game with 13 of 30 or more points this season.<\/p>\n
The Blazers jumped out to a 20-13 lead, hitting six 3-pointers. But the Sixers tied the game at 28 on Simmons' short jumper, and pulled in front on Embiid's dunk.<\/p>\n
Portland regained the lead for a 37-36 edge at the end of the opening quarter. Lillard led the way for the Blazers with 19 points, a season high for a quarter this season.<\/p>\n
Anfernee Simons' floater gave the Blazers a 58-50 advantage with just under five minute left before halftime. Blazers center Enes Kanter had to leave the game late in the half after he got knocked in the head by a teammate and was bleeding heavily. He returned in the second half.<\/p>\n
Embiid's dunk capped a 9-0 run that put the Sixers in front 59-58. His bank shot put Philadelphia up 63-60 at the break and he finished the half with 23 points.<\/p>\n
The teams wrestled the rest of the way. Danny Green's 3-pointer gave Philadelphia a 75-69 lead, but the Blazers were able to stay close heading into the final quarter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"