LeBron moonlights at center in debut as Sixers top Knicks - ESPN

NEW YORK — If necessity is the mother of invention, then the Philadelphia 76ers can thank the referees for aiming their whistles at Joel Embiid as the reason LeBron James was unlocked defensively in Tuesday's 106-100 season-opening win over the New York Knicks.

Embiid said when he picked up his third foul late in the second quarter, it was his idea to have James fill in for him at center to close the half.

«I suggested that to the guys, the coaching staff, because I just felt like the way they were calling fouls, I just felt like — and I was just being honest — I wasn't going to be as aggressive as I should be on defense, having three fouls, wanting to stay on the floor,» Embiid said. «I just told them I thought we should do that.»

Philadelphia trailed New York 51-46 with 2:13 remaining in the second quarter when Embiid checked out and was able to keep the score close, without New York exploiting his absence. James defended six-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns to finish the quarter, and the Sixers stayed in striking distance, down 58-54 at the break.

Sixers coach Nick Nurse said the matchup was something the coaching staff had contemplated leading into Tuesday, with Philadelphia's front line depleted because of Dean Wade being out with a left ankle injury and back-up center Ariel Hukporti already out for the season following right Achilles surgery.

"[We discussed putting] a four-man on KAT, because there's so many pick-and-rolls with him and [Jalen] Brunson that gives you some versatility to play some other coverages," Nurse said. «I think it was good.… Over the long haul, it was very good for us, I think.»

James opened his record-setting 24th season with 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. One of his most