The more the 76ers struggle, the likelier it becomes that the team's best chance is to build around the star guard.

Embiid led the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds. But his turnover with 8.1 seconds left and the Sixers down 105-103 drew boo birds nonetheless. Paul George hit a big fourth-quarter 3-pointer, part of 14 points on 5-for-12 shooting. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 12 points and seven rebounds.