Sixers Dominate Pistons Behind Embiid’s Historic Performance, Win Fourth Straight Game
Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
Joel Embiid‘s night was one to remember for the big man, his teammates, and the fans of Philadelphia. The Sixers were guided by the former MVP in a big way on Wednesday night and it led to a controlling team win that saw 13 different Sixers score a point. They were able to almost go wire to wire, while handling important aspects of the game such as rebounding and shot-making, and beat the Detroit Pistons 129-111.
Embiid was terrific, especially in the first half. He had 30 points and 10 rebounds in the first half alone, which was the second time he accomplished this feat in his career. Embiid finished the game with 41 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists while displaying great effort on both sides of the ball and creating baskets and opportunities with his early post-ups in the shot clock. The first half is a considerable feat in itself but it will certainly be overshadowed by another accomplishment from the big fella tonight. Embiid now has 8 consecutive 30-point games this season, tying a franchise record with Hall of Famer Wilt Chamberlin, who did it way back in his prime years with Philadelphia in the 60s.
Certainly, a phenomenal time for the Sixers’ big man to show out as he has cemented himself as the number-one candidate for MVP as of right now. His style of play with new Head Coach Nick Nurse has surely helped his ability to get opportunistic matchups as well as being a much better passer while at the top of the key or away from the basket.
Other contributors were evident in tonight’s victory, particularly Tobias Harris and Kelly Oubre Jr., who played excellent defense on their respective matchups and made crucial plays in the third quarter when the Pistons made a few threats to cut into the lead. The highlight for Oubre was scoring 17 points on 7-9 shooting just a few weeks after returning from a car accident injury. His two 3 balls tonight were followed by a kiss from Oubre to the Detroit faithful, stating that he is indeed back and to full form. Harris’ highlights also included a barrage of threes as well as multiple good defensive plays on Pistons players Cade Cunningham and Bojan Bogdanovic. At one point, with the lead cut to about a dozen Harris hit a circus shot clock beating three to extend back to 15, and the Sixers held firm from that moment on as they were getting anything they wanted offensively with Embiid running the floor and his teammates feeding him accordingly.
The one question mark is why Tyrese Maxey had such a bad game. His 2-13 shooting was by far the worst on the team and he finished the game with 9 points, 4 boards, and 9 assists. Not the typical game you will see from Max, but a rematch with the Pistons in a few days gives him another chance to shine against this below-average Eastern Conference foe.
The Pistons were led by Bogdanovic who had 33 points on 11-19 shooting including 5 via the deep ball. Cunningham added 21 points and 7 assists and rookie Ausar Thompson rounded out their top 3 scorers with 10.
As I mentioned, the Sixers have till Friday to prepare for this Detroit team again. However, this time it is at home at the Wells Fargo Center at 7 PM EST. The Sixers will look for their fifth straight win and to keep pace within the top 4 seeds of the Eastern Conference.
