Joel Embiid scored 34 points as the Philadelphia 76ers recorded a third successive win with a 110-102 victory against the Brooklyn Nets in New York.
Tyrese Maxey added 25 points and Seth Curry made 17 for the 76ers, led by assistant Dan Burke in the absence of head coach Doc Rivers because of Covid.
Kevin Durant responded with 33 points for the Nets as he made his return after missing three games.
It was a second defeat in eight games for the Eastern Conference leaders.
Nets’ James Harden produced his second triple-double in three games since returning from the NBA’s health and safety protocol as he ran up 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
Elsewhere, Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 33 points and 12 rebounds as the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Orlando Magic 136-118.