Sixers trounce crippled Lakers

PHILADELPHIA 76ers center Joel Embiid goes down after attempting to dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday’s NBA game. AP

LOS ANGELES — Joel Embiid scored 28 points, Jimmy Butler added 20 and the Philadelphia 76ers led throughout in a 121-105 National Basketball Association victory over the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.

Embiid, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, had his NBA-leading 34th game with at least 20 points and 10 boards

Brandon Ingram had a career-high 36 points for the Lakers, who were missing Kyle Kuzma (hip) along with LeBron James and Lonzo Ball.

Embiid, who also grabbed 11 rebounds, had his NBA-leading 34th game with at least 20 points and 10 boards. He appeared to hurt his back early in the fourth quarter when he fell on an alley-oop attempt but returned later in the game.

Butler was back after missing three games due to a sprained wrist and played mostly point guard. Ben Simmons scored 19 points and Mike Muscala had 17 for the Sixers, who have won three of four.

Philadelphia ran off 12 straight points to take control early. The Sixers extended their lead to 38-17 late in the first quarter and were up 39-20 at the end of the period as they went 15 of 27 from the field and forced eight Lakers turnovers.

A 3-pointer by Landry Shamet gave Philadelphia a 48-24 advantage with 8:14 remaining in the second before Los Angeles scored 16 straight points to get within eight. Ingram scored nine of his 15 points in the quarter during that run. The Sixers answered with a pair of 3-pointers by Wilson Chandler and went into halftime with a 64-53 advantage.