own in that position - you try to predict results and the one

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers told a national anthem singer and a middle finger-flipping fan to hit the road.Russell Westbrook then sent the Sixers packing with a loss and showed life without Kevin Durant might not be so bad for Oklahoma City.Westbrook stared down a double bird and spoiled Joel Embiids debut with 32 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Thunder to a 103-97 victory on Wednesday night.Westbrooks surge down the stretch capped a peculiar night in Philly.The 76ers had a tripleheader of image faux pas on opening night: The scheduled anthem singer says she was booted because she wanted to wear a We Matter jersey; a fan was kicked out for extending two middle fingers at Westbrook; and halftime singer Desiigner was booed off the court for a shirtless performance where he dropped his pants past his rear.Crazy, right? Westbrook said. I turned a new leaf though because that cost me $25,000 last time. I guess the fan, hell be all right. I guess they can say whatever they want to the players and do what they want.Westbrook was fined by the league for directing inappropriate language toward a fan in a playoff game last year. He took the high road toward the Sixers fan and stuck around to score the decisive points on opening night for the Thunder in their first game since Durant left in free agency and signed with the Golden State Warriors.Embiid nearly matched Westbrook down the stretch and showed a needed spark for the Sixers.Embiid scored 20 points in 22 minutes in his first game since the Sixers made him the No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 draft. Embiid had sat out the last two seasons with foot injuries. He received a roaring ovation when he was introduced and fans went wild on every shot.Fans chanted Trust The Process when Embiid was at the free-throw line. The catchphrase became a rallying cry under former team president Sam Hinkie.Having the fans chant that, it was special and I loved it, Embiid said.Westbrook and Embiid swapped jumpers that tied the game 97-all. Westbrook sank two free throws with 35 seconds left for a 99-97 lead in front of a raucous crowd. Enes Kanter silenced them for good and sent them toward the exits with a putback layup after the Sixers missed a shot on the other end.Yes, it was another loss for the Sixers, but one that came with a 7-foot-2 asterisk.Embiids performance largely stole the show from the opening-night shenanigans that otherwise tarnished the night.Sixers fans who had been waiting to cheer for Embiid for more than two years went wild every time he touched the ball. A group of fans held a sign that read, In Embiid We Trust.The Sixers just might prove they made the right decision to trust in Embiid.The sellout crowd of 20,487 fans erupted when the 7-foot-2 center from Kansas, Joooooel, Embiiiiid was introduced during game introductions. They stood and gasped when Embiid attempted his first shot of the game -- a missed 3-pointer.He had a nifty spin in the post and a bucket for a quick 10-2 lead.The Sixers, yes, the 10-72 Sixers, at last had a dose of good news.Embiid starred on a nationally televised performance and gave a teasing glimpse that he just may be the franchise cornerstone player that can help shift the franchise toward respectability.I love this city and I just want to appreciate the moment, he said.Westbrook, now The Man in OKC, refused to cede the spotlight entirely to Embiid. He scored 12 points in the first quarter and 22 through three to keep the Thunder within striking distance entering the fourth.TIP-INSThunder: Coach Billy Donovan said the Thunder will win without Durant, just do it in a different way. It will be a constant process throughout the season to get everyone to understand, he said.76ers: Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard rang the ceremonial opening bell. ... UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez was at the game.ANTHEM CONTROVERSYPhiladelphia 76ers national anthem singer Sevyn Streeter says she was told by the team she could not perform because of her We Matter jersey. Streeter wrote on Twitter, Was suppose to sing the anthem at (at)sixers & (at)okcthunder game but mins b4 (at)sixers said I couldnt because I was wearing a We Matter jersey.FAN TOSSEDThe Sixers ejected a portly fan in an Allen Iverson jersey who directed both middle fingers toward Westbrook from his courtside seat. The fan raised his arms in triumph and high-fived fans as he was escorted out of the arena.DESIIGNER FLAW:Rapper Desiigner was booed off the court for a halftime performance where he performed shirtless and left with his jeans down almost to his ankles and his boxers exposed.SIMMONS UPDATENo. 1 overall draft pick Ben Simmons says there is no timetable for his return to the Sixers from a broken bone in his right foot. He said he has not discussed the possibility of sitting out the season.Ill come back when Im ready, Simmons said.UP NEXTThunder: Host Phoenix on Friday in their home opener.76ers: Host Atlanta on Saturday. They open with three straight and five of their first six at home. Cheap China Jerseys . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. NFL China Jerseys .B. -- The Baie-Comeau Drakkar took over sole possession of first place atop the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League on Thursday with their sixth straight win. https://www.chinajerseysreview.com/ . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Stitched China Jerseys . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. China Jerseys Online . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services.Thierry Henry and Jamie Redknapp discuss the Premier League relegation battle and predict a fight to the finish for Norwich, Newcastle and Sunderland. The two sides from the north east drew their respective games this weekend, with the Magpies coming from behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool and the Black Cats holding Arsenal to a stalemate on Super Sunday.Norwich were not in action this weekend but did drop into the bottom three after Sunderlands result, both sides holding a game in hand over Newcastle. The current positions and run-in for the bottom three of the Premier League With just one point separating the three clubs, the Sky Sports pundits were unable to choose between the sides with Redknapp calling the relegation fight a lottery.Its very difficult. I think if youd said to Alex Neil at the start of the weekend that neither Newcastle nor Sunderland would win, I think hed have taken that, Redknapp said on Super Sunday. Jack Colback earned Newcastle a 2-2 draw at Liverpool Hell be looking at those fixtures and thinking, Watford at home, Everton away - if we can go and get four points, maybe weve got a good chance.Its not been too bad a weekend for Norwich. Theyve got Arsenal next - its not an easy game but if they defend well, you never know. Its a lottery, its a toss of the coin, it really is. Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce thought his side did enough in the second half to win their game against Arsenal but is happy witth a vital point following Crystal Palace now have an FA Cup final to look forward to.dddddddddddd Newcastle are also playing against an Aston Villa side that are down and have given up.Theyll also be hoping Tottenham have nothing to play for - it could be a bit after-the-Lord-Mayors-Show, that game. Newcastle have it all to do but Ive been down in that position - you try to predict results and the one you expect to win, you dont. Could Crystal Palaces FA Cup date give Newcastle an advantage? Henry identified the recent run of Sunderland and Newcastle as crucial for their survival, and also pointed to what he sees as a big advantage for Sam Allardyces men.Its a tough one. The only thing Id say is that momentum is with Sunderland and Newcastle with their results, the former Arsenal striker added. Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez was delighted with his team after they came from two goals behind to draw 2-2 with Liverpool You could say that Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are easier games for Newcastle - theyve less to play for than some of the other opponents.But you have to mention the goal difference of Sunderland - its minus 18 compared to the other two (seven better than Norwich, eight better than Newcastle). That could be massive.Who will stay up? Leave a comment if youre reading on skysports.com or Tweet us @SkyFootball... Also See: Sunderland out of bottom three Newcastle rally for point Defoe: I was born to score Newcastle fight delights Rafa ' ' '