The Eastern Conference-leading Philadelphia 76ers handed champions of the National Basketball Association, Los Angeles Lakers, a fourth straight defeat on Thursday.

The Lakers are without superstar LeBron James who is currently injured.

Danny Green and Dwight Howard’s returned to the Staple Centre to help the visitors to a 109-101 against their former side on Thursday.

Howard’s return was cut short at the end of the first quarter after clashing with Montrezl Harrell as he was ejected for technical foul.

Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points and Montrezl Harrell added 20, but the defending NBA champions remained winless since James sprained his ankle last Sunday. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 19 points.

Danny Green hit eight 3-pointers and scored 28 points against his former team, and the Philadelphia 76ers weathered Los Angeles’ late rally for their fourth straight victory, 109-101 over the slumping Lakers on Thursday night.

Seth Curry scored 19 points and Tobias Harris added 17 for the Eastern Conference-leading Sixers, who have won 10 of 11 overall and seven of eight without injured All-Star Joel Embiid.

Green hit six 3-pointers in the first two 1/2 quarters and added a game-clincher with 30.4 seconds to play in the type of superb shooting performance he rarely achieved during his sole season with the Lakers, where he averaged 8.0 points over 89 starts.

Kyle Kuzma scored 25 points and Montrezl Harrell added 20, but the defending NBA champions remained winless since James sprained his ankle last Sunday. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 19 points.

“We’re not trying to just hold on,” Harrell said. “We’re trying to compete, play the right way and win some basketball games. We’re in a tough patch right now. We’ve lost a couple of games, but we’re not going to stop, and we’re going to fight.” (ESPN)