Embiid leads 76ers past Westbrook, Wizards 113-107 in opener

Joel Embiid scored go-ahead basket with 1:09 left and had 29 points and 14 rebounds to lead Philadelphia 76ers to a 113-107 win over Washington on Wednesday night and spoil Russell Westbrook’s triple-double Wizards' debut. Westbrook and Bradley Beal were fantastic in backourt in opening-night paring that nearly handed 76ers coach Doc Rivers a loss in his Philadelphia debut. Westbrook had 21 points, 15 assists and 11 rebounds to wow Wizards after he was acquired in big deal that sent former cornerstone John Wall to Houston Rockets. Beal, a two-time All-Star who was second in league in scoring last season, had 31 points.

Sixers made ir major change on bench, hiring Rivers to replace Brett Brown and wake up a team that was swept out of first round of playoffs last year and help lead franchise to ir first title since 1983. He has to find a way to make Embiid-Ben Simmons pairing work — two All-Stars who have yet to get most of ir prodigious talents and have frustrated fans with ir flaws. Embiid and Shake Milton, who scored 19 points off bench, were go-to scorers late, and Simmons sealed win with a monster dunk in waning moments. Simmons had 16 points — one less than Embiid scored in fourth.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Israeli teen Deni Avdija started in his NBA debut for Wizards. 19-year-old was ninth overall pick in draft and had played for Tel Aviv Maccabi club in Israel’s Premier League. “I kw he’s only 19 years old but he plays with a passion, plays with a determination that I like,” Brooks said. When Avdija expressed disappointment he’d debut in front of fans, Brooks quipped, “count yourself lucky you don’t have to deal with Philadelphia fans.”

76ers: Before game, Rivers said season opener remained perhaps his favorite night in NBA. “I love it. I love my job,” he said. “I swear, day I don’t is day I’m out.”

SIR CHARLES

TNT analyst Charles Barkley played with Brooks and roomed with him, too, when y played for 76ers. Barkley put some pressure on his old teammate when he predicted Wizards would make playoffs.

“I’ll tell you what, he’s guaranteed a lot and very rarely it comes through,” Brooks said. “My job is to take care of my former roommate and pay him back. He didn’t charge me rent for two months. Hopefully, we can have a good year and make playoffs. I like our chances. I like group that I’m with.”

Brooks, entering final season of his five-year, $35 million contract, mimicked Barkley

“I hope Charles is right on that guar-an-tee,” Brooks said.

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT

76ers had drummers, cheer team held signs that read “Make Some ise,” a DJ blasted music and mascot Franklin roasted Wizards with humorous signs to liven up an empty Wells Fargo Center.

UP NEXT

Wizards: Home opener Saturday against Orlando.

76ers: Saturday at New York.