BOSTON – Joel Embiid recovered from a pregame fall to score 27 points with nine rebounds, made 4 of 5 from 3-point range and sank two free throws with three seconds left to stop Boston’s final rally and lead the Philadelphia 76ers earned a 118-114 win on Wednesday.

Tyrese Maxey had 33 points and 12 assists. He scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, including a quick layup to open a seven-point lead with about a minute left after the Sixers threw the ball in with 1.1 seconds on the shot clock. Caleb Martin scored 23 points and hit 7 of 9 from 3-point range.

Jayson Tatum scored 32 points with 15 rebounds for Boston, Jaylen Brown scored 23 and Derrick White had 21. Boston wore red socks and leggings with their green jerseys for an extra dose of Christmas cheer.

Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis, who has missed all but nine games this season due to injury, did not return in the second half. The team said he has an ankle injury.

Takeaways

76ers: If Embiid stays healthy, the Sixers may finally be able to topple them in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics: Two consecutive losses for the first time this season.

Key moment

Embiid fell and grabbed his ankle during pregame warmups, but started and played 31 minutes wearing a black mask to protect his sinus fracture. He hobbled to the free-throw line after being fouled on a drive to the basket with two minutes left, with Philadelphia leading 108-105.

He made both free throws and sank two more with three seconds left after the Celtics cut a nine-point lead to 116-114 in the final minute.

Key statistics

The Celtics trailed by as many as 16 points (52-36) in the third quarter – their largest home deficit this season.

Next

The Sixers visit Utah on Saturday in the second game of a six-game road trip.

Boston hosts Indiana on Friday and Sunday.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba