Joel Embiid scores 47 as 76ers beat Nikola Jokic, Nuggets 126-119

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joel Embiid won the battle of MVP candidateswith 47 points and 18 rebounds as the Philadelphia 76ers extendedtheir winning streak to seven games with a 126-119 win over NikolaJokic and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.

Jokic andEmbiid have finished first and second in voting for the NBA’s MostValuable Player award over the last two seasons. Both are among thetop candidates for MVP as this season hits the halfway mark,although Embiid was not named among the All-Star starters from theEastern Conference.

“I’m usedto it and it’s not the first time,” Embiid said. “I think it’s moreof a motivation to go out there and try to win the whole thing.That’s the only way that I’ll get that respect.”

Jokic gaveEmbiid a nod for his play.

“He’sreally talented,” Jokic told the Denver Post of Embiid. “Reallyshifty.”

JamesHarden had 17 points and 13 assists, and Tobias Harris scored all14 of his points in the second half after being shut down byDenver’s defense in the first half.

“We wereable to figure some things out and get some stops,” Harris said.“Guys stepping up and making shots was huge for us to cut thedeficit in the fourth quarter to try and make somethinghappen.”

Jokic had24 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, which haslost three of its last four games. Jamal Murray chipped in 22points and Michael Porter added 20.