Embiid scores 27 as 76ers fall to Celtics in preseason finale

The Philadelphia 76ers closed their preseason with a 125-120 overtime loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, as Joel Embiid scored 27 points in his final tune-up before the regular season. The result finished Philadelphia’s preseason schedule, but the game also offered a look at how its new group is still working to bring its players’ strengths together. Embiid added eight rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes. Tyrese Maxey scored 22 points and had six assists, while Jaylen Brown contributed 20 points and eight rebounds. LeBron James recorded eight points, eight rebounds and seven assists. The four players’ individual production did not prevent the Celtics from winning in overtime. After the game, Embiid rejected the idea that players must set aside their strengths for the team to succeed. He said teammates should do what they do best and support one another, adding that he did not think anyone needed to take a back seat. His comments describe his view of how the roster should function; they do not settle how the team will divide responsibilities in games. Brown said the group was not yet where it wanted to be, describing the work of coming together as an ongoing process....