Basketball

Christmas comes with traditions. Like the New York Knicks playing at Madison Square Garden. Or LeBron James lacing up his sneakers and going to work. And the defending NBA champions getting into the holiday game action.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid scored 44 points, James Harden had a career-high 21 assists in a triple-double and the Philadelphia 76ers overcame a 20-point first-half deficit to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 119-114 on Friday night.

The NBA went into Christmas with a night like none other. For the first time in NBA history, five players scored at least 43 points on the same day. It happened Friday, with Dallas’ Luka Doncic leading the way with 50 points against Houston.

Los Angeles Lakers (13-18, 13th in the Western Conference) vs. Dallas Mavericks (17-16, eighth in the Western Conference) Dallas; Sunday, 2:30 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Mavericks -8; over/under is 226.

Milwaukee Bucks (22-10, second in the Eastern Conference) vs. Boston Celtics (23-10, first in the Eastern Conference) Boston; Sunday, 5 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Celtics -4; over/under is 225.

Phoenix Suns (19-13, fourth in the Western Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (20-11, first in the Western Conference) Denver; Sunday, 10:30 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Nuggets -3.5; over/under is 230.

Philadelphia 76ers (19-12, fifth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (18-15, sixth in the Eastern Conference) New York; Sunday, 12 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Knicks -1.5; over/under is 217.

Memphis Grizzlies (19-11, second in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (15-18, 11th in the Western Conference) San Francisco; Sunday, 8 p.m. EST FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK NBA LINE : Warriors -4; over/under is 228.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gordon Hayward got the tiebreaking layup on a goaltending call against LeBron James with 6.3 seconds to play, and the Charlotte Hornets held off the Los Angeles Lakers 134-130 Friday night for only their second victory in 11 games.

PHOENIX (AP) — Jaren Jackson Jr. had 24 points and 11 rebounds, Desmond Bane scored 17 points in his return and the Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of Phoenix star Devin Booker's absence to rout the Suns 125-100 on Friday night.