NBA roundup: Ben Simmons survives hacking strategy to lead 76ers to win over Wizards

Ben Simmons scored 31 points, grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds and overcame Washington’s hacking strategy, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 118-113 victory over the visiting Wizards on Wednesday night.

Joel Embiid had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Dario Saric added 24 points to help the 76ers improve to 12-8.

Washington nearly overcame a 22-point deficit in the fourth quarter and spent the final five minutes intentionally fouling Simmons, who entered the game shooting 56.6% from the line. He stayed true to form, making 15 of 29.

at San Antonio 104, Memphis 95: LaMarcus Aldridge set his Spurs high with 41 points and San Antonio spoiled J.B. Bickerstaff’s debut as Grizzlies coach, handing them their ninth straight loss. Aldridge scored 17 of San Antonio’s first 19 points.

at Detroit 131, Phoenix 107: Reggie Jackson scored 23 points and the Pistons set a season high for points in their third consecutive victory. Detroit improved to 7-1 against the Western Conference.

at Orlando 121, Oklahoma City 108: Aaron Gordon had 40 points and 15 rebounds to help the Magic end a nine-game losing streak. Russell Westbrook made five three-pointers and scored 20 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter for the Thunder, who lost for the fifth time in six games and dropped their seventh straight on the road.

at New York 115, Miami 86: Enes Kanter had 22 points and 14 rebounds, and the Knicks won easily despite losing Kristaps Porzingis to a sprained right ankle after 21/2 minutes.

at Toronto 126, Charlotte 113: Kyle Lowry scored a season-high 36 points, DeMar DeRozan had 30 and the Raptors improved to 7-1 at home. Lowry set a new career-high by making eight three-pointers.

at Houston 118, Indiana 97: James Harden had 29 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds and the Rockets rolled to their sixth straight victory

Minnesota 120, at New Orleans 102: Andrew Wiggins scored 28 points to help the Timberwolves beat the Pelicans in a game that saw New Orleans forward Anthony Davis ejected for the first time in his six-year career.

Brooklyn 109, at Dallas 104: DeMarre Carroll scored 15 of his 22 points in the third quarter for the Nets.