Philadelphia (33-27) salvaged the final game of their three-game road swing with a 108-97 victory at Cleveland on Thursday night. While the 76ers won for the eighth time in ten games, it was the signature road victory that had been sorely missing as they beat a team with a winning record outside Philadelphia for the first time since beating San Antonio on January 26.
Joel Embiid had 17 points, 14 rebounds and six assists while rookie Ben Simmons contributed 18 points, nine rebounds and eight assists as Philadelphia fought off a late challenge and limited Cleveland to 41 second-half points.
The 76ers now turn their attention towards posting an 11th consecutive home victory, which would be their longest winning streak in Philadelphia since a 24-game run at the Spectrum from November 27, 1982, to March 23, 1983 during their title-winning season.
Charlotte (28-34) had their season-high five-game winning streak snapped in emphatic fashion Wednesday night when they were manhandled 134-106 at Boston. Kemba Walker scored 23 points and Dwight Howard added 21, but the Hornets were carved up defensively as the Celtics shot a torrid 62.1 percent, the highest percentage they have allowed this season.
Despite the loss, Walker has been playing well since the All-Star break, averaging 25.2 points in five games while shooting 55.3 percent (21 for 38) from 3-point range and 54.9 percent overall.