Joel Embiid has been playing at an incredible level for weeks, and last night was no less. At home, receiving New Orleans, the center scored 42 points to be the boss on the floor and lead Philadelphia to a 117-107 victory.
The 76ers star scored 12 of his 42 points in the fourth quarter, an excellent score in just 33 minutes to which he added 14 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks. He did everything and left no doubt about his candidacy for MVP (last year he finished second in the vote), which is gaining weight every time he steps on the track.
Beyond his excellent level, the most interesting thing for the Pennsylvania organization is that Embiid has played 19 consecutive games. On a physical level he is better and the team is noticing it. In that sample of 19 games, the Sixers have a balance of 13-6 and the center averages 33.3 points per night. “That was one of my goals, just to be available. Don’t plan to stop,” he says.
Embiid was spectacular, but not only. New Orleans fought the game until the last minutes and if the Sixers ended up winning it was also due to the good work of Tobias Harris, who would close his statistical sheet with 33 points and 11 rebounds. The victory allows the team to continue to lie in wait for the first places in the Eastern Conference with a balance of 28-19.
Willy Hernangomez, huge
That’s how it is. Embiid played another great game, but in front of him he had the best Willy Hernangómez ever. The Spanish center went up to 29 points and 10 rebounds to reply and keep in the fight a Pelicans that did not have such important players as Zion Williamson, Devonte’ Graham, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Jonas Valenciunas. Without them, Nickeil Alexander-Walker was the top scorer with 31 points.
Given the good work of the Louisiana organization on the field, Willie Green can only be satisfied. “There are no moral victories, but we are all extremely proud of what our group did,” comments the head coach of New Orleans.
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
