Joel Embiid scores career-high 59 points for heroic performance – NBC10 Philadelphia

3 observations after heroic Embiid posted career-high 59 to pull Sixers to victory originally appeared NBC Sports Philadelphia

Joel Embiid led the Sixers to a clean win on Sunday night.

Basically, everything good for the Sixers came from Embiid in a 105-98 win over the Jazz. He put in a phenomenal performance, posting his career highs of 59 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists and 7 blocks.

That’s what the Sixers needed to improve to a 7-7 record on the season. Still, Sunday was one of those games that made us think about the idea that pretty much anything is possible for the Sixers as long as Embiid is around.

James Harden (tendon strain in right leg) and Furkan Korkumaz (left knee arthritis) were sidelined by the Sixers, who won’t play again until they host the Bucks on Friday. Here are some thoughts on Embiid’s surreal night and victory over Utah.

Sixers lean on Embiid from jump

De’Anthony Melton returned after missing the game with a stiff back, while Matisse Thybulle remained in the Sixers’ starting five. The team’s starters did not start well overall.

Lori Markkanen scored eight of Utah’s first ten points. Offensive rebounds were a big problem for the Sixers early on, as the Jazz scored eight second-chance points with 4 minutes and 4 seconds into the game. Jared Vanderbilt hooked a long rebound that led to a Jordan Clarkson 3-pointer to put the Jazz up his 13-6. Utah attempted his eight of his nine threes in the opening of the night, largely thanks to an offensive board and excellent ball movement.

Embiid was aggressive to start the game without the Jazz sending a double team.like Sixers Beat Hawks Saturday Nighthe was arguably the team’s offensive hub, finishing the period with 13 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. committed a foul on

Embiid also made a number of impressive passes. The Sixers put in some neat action midway through the first, running to the block after Thybulle set up a highball screen, giving Embiid a downscreen and a foul line catch free. Embiid realized that Thybulle was temporarily open and found him for a dunk. Late in the quarter he made a smooth, unflattering dish as he transitioned to Tyrese Maxey, who sank corner three.

When Utah subbed Walker Kessler, Embiid looked for a chance to attack him in transition and forced the 7-foot rookie to move his leg. Although he expended a lot of offensive energy in the first game, especially playing that entire period, Embiid’s individual defensive assignments weren’t a big challenge. , allowing the 23-year-old forward to shoot his favorite long-range jumper.

Ultimately, the Sixers trailing by four points after the opening period wasn’t encouraging, despite Embiid playing all 12 minutes in the second game after playing 40 minutes on Saturday. .

parallax per second

The Sixers started the second quarter with an all-bench lineup, and that group struggled.

Melton had some bright flashes, rising high for a defensive rebound, then taking the ball coast-to-coast for a left-handed layup to cut Utah’s lead to 35-32. Still, the Sixers’ offense unsurprisingly collapsed without top his players on the court. Paul Reed airballed a short baseline attempt, launching the ball a few feet above the hoop, and the Jazz quickly turned that low light into Malik Beasley’s three, extending the advantage into his double figures. I was.

Sixers head coach Doc Rivers brought in Montrez Harrell after a timeout. After another Beasley 3 and just 48 seconds of game action, Embiid came in. It doesn’t matter which player nods to provide solid backup center time, but the Sixers have Harden injured, Embiid sitting, and playmakers like Maxxie and Tobias Harris on the bench. It’s also clear that it tends to look unstable because of the turbulence.

Depth, on the other hand, is Utah’s strength.the team started the night Leading the NBA in Bench Scoring 31 second score in the first half. The Jazz finished the game with his points advantage 45 to 18 on the bench.

Embiid made an immediate impact on his return, blocking a Clarkson layup and creating a quick dunk from Maxxie. Late in the second quarter, he made his steps towards a layup for the Euros and stole his three points for top of the key. He raised his arm to say “finally” after the jumper. Embiid, before that make, he was 8-for-34 from long distance this season. His 24 first-half points kept the Sixers close.

About Embiid in a nutshell

Thybulle spent time escorting Clarkson, Colin Sexton and Markkanen. He was very good defensively and in 27 minutes he scored 5 steals and maintained a solid position.

Of course, Thybulle’s minutes usually don’t help the Sixers’ 3-point shots. He went 0-1 from distance before the break and the Sixers were just 2-11 as a team.

They took down a couple more jumpers in the third quarter, including a wing three by Maxxie that gave the Sixers a 61-60 lead. Embiid continued to do damage with his one-on-one chances against Olynyk, kicking the ball to open the shooter when the Jazz defense collapsed on him. After his fourth foul on Harris, Georges Niang, who checked in at 7:40 and entered his third, hit his three, courtesy of Embiid.

Rivers changed the timing of things with a late substitution for Embiid, taking him out about five and a half minutes later. However, he again went with a starterless line-up. The third quarter stretch wasn’t exactly smooth for the Sixers, but it went much better than the first half. Kessler helped them with some close range mistakes and Harrell slammed in two transition dunks to tie the game at 74.

Throughout the evening, Embiid looked very comfortable and confident he could make quality shots for the Sixers. . On the next down, he stopped short of the rim and Shake He assisted Milton’s lay-in. Early in the fourth, he rocked Gay with a pass fake before dribbling and hitting a silky midrange jumper. His perimeter at 7 feet tall his blend of skill and agility is special. When he’s healthy and everything’s going well, he’s clearly an MVP player.

Embiid maintained the incredible momentum the Sixers needed. He put the team up 88-86 with yet another midrange make. In between plays, he hit his third and his fourth shots.

Playing Embiid for the entire fourth quarter seemed out of the question, so Rivers removed Embiid with 6:51 remaining and put PJ Tucker on center. Had either Harris or Maxie made an open three, the Sixers could have made the move work, but both misfired. Utah scored his fourth straight point to put him ahead 94-92, with Rivers burning timeouts.

As soon as Embiid checked in, he hit a fadeaway jumper on Markkanen and drew a foul on Mike Conley’s desperate double team attempt. Embiid made two free throws that helped him reach 50 points. Two more times took him to 52, breaking his previous career high.

Embiid certainly wasn’t all on offense, either. About a minute and a half later, he wiped out Sexton’s fast layup try.

His teammates failed to seize a few chances that gave the Sixers an easier path to the finish line, but it didn’t matter. It was great for the Sixers on the best night of their career. With the Sixers scoring his 5 points and the shot clock expiring, he narrowly missed his 60-point fadeaway 3. Had he succeeded, no one in the building would have been stunned.

https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/sixers/joel-embiid-scores-career-high-59-points-in-heroic-performance/3423568/ Joel Embiid scores career-high 59 points for heroic performance – NBC10 Philadelphia

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