NBA: Joel Embiid dominant in return as 76ers handle Hornets

Joel Embiid scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the fourth quarter to propel the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-98 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night.

Tyrese Maxey (23 points) and Kelly Oubre Jr. (22) each made four 3-pointers for Philadelphia, which defeated Charlotte for the second time this week. Embiid missed Monday's contest due to a sinus fracture sustained in a game against Indiana on Dec. 13, and he wore a protective mask against the Hornets.

Vasilije Micic scored a season-high 20 points to lead the Hornets, who have lost 12 of their last 13 games. Charlotte played without LaMelo Ball (calf) and Brandon Miller (ankle).

Despite leading by 23 in the third quarter and by 16 early in the fourth, the Sixers' lead was down to 89-85 when Moussa Diabate dropped in a layup with just under seven minutes left, capping a 12-0 run.

Embiid restored order, scoring on the next two possessions and then finding Guerschon Yabusele for a three-point play as the hosts went ahead 96-87. Shortly thereafter, Embiid scored on three consecutive trips, the final two shots answering buckets by Miles Bridges on the other end.

Embiid's basket with 58.4 seconds left essentially sealed the win—the Sixers' sixth in eight games following a 3-14 start.

The Sixers stormed out of the gates behind Maxey's 3-pointer, five quick points by Embiid and a 3-pointer by Oubre, giving the hosts an early 11-4 lead.

Embiid and Oubre knocked down 3-pointers shortly thereafter as Philadelphia's lead grew to 17-6. Near the midway point of the half, Maxey knocked down a triple to create a 15-point advantage.

The Sixers increased their lead to 20 early in the second quarter, but the visitors inched within 54-46 late in the half. Still, Embiid made two free throws and Maxey rolled in a layup in the final minute to create a 12-point margin at the break.

The Sixers erupted early in the third quarter, taking a lead as large as 73-50 on Maxey's alley-oop feed to KJ Martin about 4 1/2 minutes into the second half. Yet, the Hornets chipped away, getting within 85-71 heading into the fourth. — Field Level Media/ Reuters