By Adrian Stewart Co

Philadelphia 76ers continued its strong start in the 2020-2021 NBA Season after a 118-101 victory over Charlotte Hornets on Monday night (Tuesday in the Philippines) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tobias Harris top-scored with 22 points, while Joel Embiid contributed double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds as the 76ers solidified its hold of the top spot in Eastern Conference standings with 6-1.

Danny Green tallied 13 points, Ben Simmons had double-double 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Seth Curry and Tyrese Maxey contributed 11 markers apiece for the 76ers.

Trailing 31-36 midway in the second quarter, the 76ers leaned on consecutive points from Embiid, Curry, Harris and Green to take a 58-43 advantage at the half.

The Hornets attempted to come close in the second half at 50-61 but Simmons, Embiid and Harris came up with conversion en route to 76ers’ largest lead at 107-80 on free throws by Shake Milton.

Gordon Hayward finished with 18 points, Devonte Graham added 15 markers, while Terry Rozier, PJ Washington and LaMelo Ball each had 12 points as the Hornets dropped to 2-5.

Meanwhile, Orlando Magic (5-2) regained its winning ways following a 103-83 domination over shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers (4-3) at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Aaron Gordon had his best game this season with 24 points to go along with 11 rebounds, while Nikola Vucevic chipped in 23 markers for the Magic.

BOX SCORE:

PHILADELPHIA 118 – Harris 22, Embiid 14, Green 13, Simmons 12, Curry 11, Maxey 11, Milton 10, Howard 9, Mathias 8, Thybulle 4, Poirier 2, Reed 2, Fergurson 0, Joe 0.

CHARLOTTE 101 – Hayward 18, Graham 15, Ball 12, Rozier 12, Washington 12, McDaniels 10, Bridges 7, Martin 7, Biyombo 4, Richards 3, Monk 1.

Quarterscores: 23-20, 58-43, 82-66, 118-101./ASC, WDJ