The Philadelphia 76ers have a lot of high aspirations for the 2019-20 season as they continue their championship quest. For that to happen, they will need Joel Embiid to have a lot more nights like the one he had in Boston Thursday.
The big man brushed off a lot of criticism from a lot of people and he went off for 38 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists with a plus-minus stat of plus-21 in a 115-109 win over the Celtics on the road. It was a performance worthy of a player of his stature.
“To me, the way he handled it personally I’m proud of him,” said coach Brett Brown. “He handled it like an adult. He handled it with a humility and owned some of it and then came out and responded in a very dramatic way. He was dominant and he was a leader.”
Mike Scott, who made the start for the injured Al Horford, had 15 points and he knocked down five three-pointers and he praised his big man for his work on Thursday.
“He was a beast, dominant,” said Scott. “He just took advantage of anyone guarding him. That’s how he should play all the time.”
The Sixers also received a big game from Tobias Harris who had 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists and it all started with what Embiid brought to the team for him.
“From the beginning his energy levels on all different sides of the game,” Harris said. “On interactions, his energy offensively and defensively, he was very impressive all around…he’s he our best player, the best big in the game.”
The Sixers only had 12 turnovers and Embiid, who has had turnover troubles recently, only had two of them. It was a terrific night for this team and he set the tone for them.
“The numbers speak, pretty much, for themselves,” Brown added. “But there was other stuff internally going on with leadership and instruction to his teammates and stuff being said at halftime that flipped him over the top, for me, one of his better games since he’s been a Philadelphia 76er.”
The Sixers will look to keep it going on Friday when they return home to host JJ Redick and the New Orleans Pelicans. [lawrence-related id=21185,21161,21154]