Joel Embiid (R) of the Philadelphia 76ers is guarded by Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks during their NBA game at Madison Square Garden in New York, U.S., December 25, 2022. /CFP
Joel Embiid and James Harden combined to spark Philadelphia's 119-112 NBA triumph against New York on Sunday while Luka Doncic powered Dallas Mavericks over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Cameroonian star Embiid struck for 35 points and eight rebounds while Harden delivered 29 points and 13 assists in the 76ers' eighth consecutive victory.
"We just know how to play. We just know what to do," Embiid said.
"It was one of those games where you’ve just got to stick around," Harden said. "Like, stick around, stick around and then fourth quarter you give yourself a chance."
"Again, we're just not doing enough to win right now and that's what we have to fix," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said.
LeBron James (R) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks smile after their NBA game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, U.S., December 25, 2022. /CFP
In Dallas, the host Mavericks got 32 points, nine rebounds and nine assists from Slovenian star Doncic in downing the Lakers 124-115 while Christian Wood added 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The Mavericks were down 54-43 at halftime before outscoring the Lakers 51-21 in the third quarter, the only quarter Dallas outscored the Lakers.
LeBron James scored a game-high 38 points with six rebounds and five assists and Russell Westbrook added 17 points off the bench but the Lakers dropped their fourth game in a row and fell to 13-20, 13th in the Western Conference.
Anthony Davis remains sidelined with a right foot injury for the Lakers.
Dirk Nowitzki's statue stands in front of the American Airlines Center in Dallas, U.S., December 25, 2022. /CFP
The Mavericks used the Christmas holiday contest as the backdrop to unveiling a statue of former Dallas great Dirk Nowitzki, the German playmaker's bronze image captured making a fadeaway jumper.
Nowitzki led Dallas to the 2011 NBA crown and was the NBA Most Valuable Player in 2007.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics attempts a dunk against the Milwaukee Bucks during their NBA game at the TD Garden in Boston, U.S., December 25, 2022. /CFP
Jayson Tatum posted his fifth straight 30-point game, leading the Boston Celtics with 41 en route to a 139-118 Christmas Day win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday night.
Tatum and Jaylen Brown (29 points) combined for 70 points in a game for the eighth time in their careers. Tatum added seven rebounds, five assists and three steals as Boston won back-to-back games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hurt his hand after a foul against the Nets on Friday night, had a team-high 27 points. Jrue Holiday finished with 23, Brook Lopez scored 16 and Massachusetts native Pat Connaughton added 15 on four three-pointers in Milwaukee’s third straight loss.
Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis each pulled in nine rebounds, and Holiday also dished out seven assists.
Boston's lead was just 62-61 at the break, as Lopez hit a fadeaway with 2.8 seconds left before Jaylen Brown missed three foul shots.
Other NBA games' results on Christmas Day:
Memphis Grizzlies 109-123 Golden State Warriors
Denver Nuggets 128-125 Phoenix Suns
(With input from agencies)