Joel Embiid reinforced his MVP bid with 52 points and 13 bounces, and the NBA score leader took home Philadelphia 76ers to win 103-101 first Boston Celtics on Tuesday night.
In a knockout game, this game is over, because Jayson Tatumhis lace-up shirt was lagging at the whistle.
PJ Tucker gave Embiid and the Sixers the help they needed when he hit three late threes, turning a one-point shortfall into a 101-95 lead. White Derrick buried 3 with 2 seconds left, pulling Boston to 103-101 and causing a crowd to just shout “MVP! MVP!” pray. Embiid was whistled for an offensive foul, but the Celtics were unable to capitalize on it.
The 76ers avoided a sweeping season against the Celtics and won for the first time in four games. They can thank the All-Star center for marking the victory with a deadly two-handed hit late in the game that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
Embiid took 20 of 25 shots from the floor and 12 of 13 free throws en route to the ninth game of the season with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds. Embiid scored 50 points for the third time this season.
James Harden had 20 points and 10 assists.
White scored 26 points for the Celtics and Tatum had 19. The Celtics have lost 9-4 this season without Brown Jaylenthe team’s second-highest scorer, who had to miss tonight due to a back injury.
Embiid responded to the cheers pouring in on him by playing early as a one-man gig. Embiid managed to score 50 points from the jump and made 6/7 from the ground and 6/7 from the free-throw line to get 18 points in the first half. The rest of the team missed eight of the 12 shots and took no free throws.
As the season draws to a close, the same questions arise for the Sixers as they did at the start of the season: Can Embiid and Harden be healthy in the knockouts? Both are battling nagging injuries; Embiid, right calf and Harden, left Achilles tendon hurt. The second, perhaps more pressing: Who will step up and join Embiid and Harden as consistent performers in the playoffs?
Without the necessary help from Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris and some product that comes from the bench, the Sixers could suffer another 50 wins in the second round this season. The Sixers haven’t advanced to the Eastern Conference finals since 2001, and another outburst early this season could lead to a tumultuous season in Philly.
Not if Embiid can help it.
Celtics are trying to take the No. 1 seed in the East from the hand Milwaukee while the 76ers are pretty much locked to the third seed.
Associated Press report.
National Basketball Association
Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid
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