How’s that for a response? Days after being criticized on national television by NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, Joel Embiid responded emphatically with a masterful performance to lead his Philadelphia 76ers over the rival Boston Celtics Thursday night.
The game was close throughout, but the Sixers erased a three-point halftime deficit and made enough plays down the stretch to secure the win. And time and again it was Embiid stepping up.
The big man finished with a sparkling stat line of 38 points, 13 rebounds, six assists, and a block. The importance of that block can’t be overstated, as it was an emphatic rejection of a Daniel Theis layup with 15 seconds left and the Sixers holding a four-point lead. To top off the play, he calmly knocked down two free-throws to all but seal the game. Speaking of free-throws, Embiid was 12-of-14 from the charity stripe. He was also 12-of-21 from the field and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc. He finished as a +21 and he simply carried the Sixers to this win. Oh, and he only committed two turnovers.
Joel Embiid MONSTER BLOCK to seal the game#PhilaUnite pic.twitter.com/ryBYYIARyw
— Duka Loncic (@viral_nba) December 13, 2019
Embiid was the difference and will deservedly garner the headlines, but he did get some help. Tobias Harris was again fantastic for the Sixers, hitting several tough shots and contributing 23 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists.
Mike Scott provided a big boost staring in place of Al Horford, knocking down five 3’s, scoring 15 points and grabbing four rebounds. Josh Richardson started to return to form, chipping in 14 points, two rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks. Ben Simmons was quiet offensively with just seven points, but he added eight rebounds and six assists.
Furkan Korkmaz had seven points off the bench, and Matisse Thybulle chipped in six points, two assists, two blocks, a rebound and a steal.
If we wanted to nit-pick for a concern, it would be the failure of Simmons to assertively post up when he had a smaller player on him and one glaring refusal to shoot a 3 on a possession that ended in a turnover. But it’s hard to be upset with the Sixers’ performance.
The team committed just 11 turnovers and shot 50% from both the field and from 3. The Sixers assisted on 27 of 41 made field goals, won the rebounding battle 45-33 and played impressive defense in the second half. After getting torched by Kemba Walker in the first half, the Sixers all but shut him down in the second, and it was great to see them close out a big win in a tough environment.
The win moved the Sixers to 19-7 on the season and allowed them to jump the Celtics in the standings. The victory also put the first blemish on Boston’s home record, where it had been 10-0. The Sixers are now 2-0 against the Celtics on the season, and Thursday’s road win was really impressive.
They won’t have to wait long to try to keep the momentum going, as they return to action Friday night when they host the New Orleans Pelicans.