Josh Richardson scored 29 points, Ben Simmons had 19 and the host Philadelphia 76ers won without injured center Joel Embiid, beating the Boston Celtics 109-98 on Thursday night.
Embiid will have surgery Friday for a torn ligament in a finger in his left hand and will be evaluated in one to two weeks. Embiid, averaging 23.4 points and 12.3 rebounds in 31 games this season, tore the radial collateral ligament in the ring finger Monday night in a victory over Oklahoma City.
"We're going to miss Joel for however long it is," guard Ben Simmons said, "but tonight was a good start."
Mike Scott slid into the starting rotation, along with Al Horford, Tobias Harris, Richardson and Simmons. The victory improved the Sixers' home record to 18-2.
Oklahoma City 113, Houston 92: The Thunder couldn't stop Russell Westbrook, who scored 34 points, but it did spoil his return.
Westbrook was a league MVP and two-time scoring champ for the Thunder before being traded to the Rockets last summer for Chris Paul and draft picks. Westbrook was the last remaining player from the team that began playing in Oklahoma City in 2008 after leaving Seattle.
The fans showered Westbrook with appreciation before the game. There was a tribute video, then loud cheers as he was introduced with enthusiasm, in the same manner as a home Thunder player. The crowd stood, cheered loudly and even chanted M-V-P as the announcer moved on to other players. Westbrook even ran over to a corner of the court and exhorted the crowd before the tip, just like he did when he played for the Thunder.
Westbrook scored 18 points in the first half, but the Thunder led 60-48 at the break after shooting 53.8% from the field. The Thunder extended its lead throughout the second half. Westbrook was subbed out with 7:18 remaining.
