76ers top Celtics 107-93 in 1st battle of East favorites

Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum, center right, goes up for a shot against Philadelphia 76ers' Al Horford, center left, during first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, in Philadelphia. Joel Embiid had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Ben Simmons scored 24 points and Philadelphia 76ers beat Boston Celtics 107-93 on Wednesday night.

Sixers and Celtics are expected to compete for top spot in Eastern Conference this season and opener had a May feel. Embiid was bloodied and hit with a flagrant. y roughed up each or, with more than 60 fouls whistled. y each showed off ir prized free nt acquisitions. But it was Sixers that dominated in fourth quarter.

Philly’s superstars can only do so much, and reserves were re when y needed m.

Furkan Korkmaz and Tobias Harris buried consecutive 3-pointers — after Sixers had missed 21 of 24 through three quarters — to stretch lead to 10. Even without a jumper, Simmons was smooth and sensational as he attacked hoop for easy baskets. He used a nifty spin move in paint to hit Kyle O’Quinn for a basket that made it 90-74. packed house went wild as backups, a weak spot in postseason, put Sixers on decisive run.

Gordon Hayward led Celtics with 25 points. Jayson Tatum had 21.

Kemba Walker scored 12 points on 4-of-18 shooting in his Boston debut, and Al Horford had 16 in his first game with 76ers.

Horford spent last three seasons with Celtics and was one of few defenders that gave Embiid fits. Horford signed a four-year deal to come to Philly and quickly became a popular teammate. Walker was signed to a four-year, $141 million deal, most Boston could offer, but $80 million less than Charlotte Hornets could have paid him over five seasons.

About only sign of a rough patch came when Embiid took a hard elbow from Jaylen Brown early in third. Embiid was slightly bloodied and seemed to wiggle his teeth. He also pressed a towel to this face after hit.

Brown was whistled for his fifth foul, and Embiid sat out for a couple of minutes. He hardly seemed bored by kck rest of game — he slid across court as he tried to save ball from going out of bounds, drawing a loud “Let’s go Sixers!” chant.

TIP-INS

Celtics: Boston twice missed consecutive free throws in second half, giving delirious 76ers fans a free dessert and fries at a food fast chain.

76ers: Allen Iverson was in house wearing a . 23 Trey Burke jersey. ... Rapper Biz Markie was at game. ... Horford rang ceremonial Liberty Bell. ... Harris addressed crowd before game and said 76ers have just one goal this season. “With that being said, let’s get to work,” he said.

GAME SHAPE

Embiid said at start of training camp that he lost 20 pounds over offseason and aimed for at least five more before opening night. Coach Brett Brown said he didn’t kw if two-time All-Star center had reached his weight goal. Brown said Embiid’s health is “best he’s ever been,” but re’s work ahead.

“Is he an A-plus right w,” Brown asked. “, he is t. But he is trending in way that we want. And body asked him to be that on opening night.”

25-year-old Embiid has never played in more than 64 games a season and has vowed to top that total in 2019-2020. Sixers care more about having ir franchise player healthy for postseason than reaching some arbitrary number.

“I feel when I look at him, I think he looks healthy,” Brown said. “He looks like he’s ready to have a great season.”