Joel Embiid turned in an MVP-caliber performance Saturday and the Sixers came back for a 126-119 victory over Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. NoahLevick of NBCSPhilly has the recap:
One of the most noticeable aspects early in Saturday’s game was, in a literal sense, off the court. With the shot clocks above the baskets not functioning at Wells Fargo Center, the teams had to rely on a clock stationed at the corner of the baseline floor.
Sixers head coach Doc Rivers changed up Embiid’s normal rotations in the first half Saturday, subbing him out with six minutes left in the first quarter. Unsurprisingly, the Jokic-led Nuggets outscored the Sixers by five points during Montrezl Harrell’s initial stint of approximately two and a half minutes.
However, the Jokic vs. Harrell minutes were shaky again. Back-to-back Maxey free throw misses also hurt. The Sixers had been No. 1 in the NBA in free throw percentage after a 35-for-36 game against Brooklyn, but they went 4 for 10 in the first half. Jokic made an open three and then sunk a turnaround jumper over Harrell. He attacked the matchup with great comfort.
Malone picked up a technical foul in the third, seemingly for arguing that Tucker’s shoulder bumps on Jokic should’ve been fouls. About a minute later, Tucker got his fourth foul for off-ball grappling with Jokic. He let the officials know he despised the call and was whistled for a technical of his own. Rivers got a technical during a timeout, too.
The Sixers delivered the necessary immediate response. Georges Niang made back-to-back threes, Embiid scored an and-one layup, and the Nuggets suddenly looked unsteady again. Embiid’s intensity and determination not to lose a marquee game was obvious, too. After stealing a Jokic pass on Denver’s final third-quarter possession, he drew contact against second-year guard Bones Hyland and got himself three free throws.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Joel Embiid drops 47 points as Nuggets fall on the road to SixersWhen Nikola Jokic called Joel Embiid “probably” the most dominant player in the NBA ahead of Saturday’s showcase, he knew the storm that awaited him.
Read more »
Sixers center Joel Embiid not among starters for NBA All-Star GameEmbiid had been an All-Star starter for five straight seasons. Guard James Harden also was not included but figures to make his 11th straight All-Star team as a reserve.
Read more »
NBA fines Joel Embiid $25K for triple crotch-chop gesture during Sixers-NetsThe NBA didn't appreciate Joel Embiid going for the full Triple H. Or the full Hingle McCringleberry, if that's more your speed.
Read more »
Joel Embiid’s 47 points and 18 rebounds propels Sixers to comeback win over Denver Nuggets in battle of MVP contendersDaily News | Joel Embiid’s 47 points and 18 rebounds propels Sixers to comeback win over Denver Nuggets in battle of MVP contenders
Read more »
NBA All-Star Starters 2023: Joel Embiid Not Selected in Eastern Conference FrontcourtJoel Embiid, the Eastern Conference's leading scorer with 33.4 points per game, was not selected as an All-Star starter. NoahLevick of NBCSPhilly has the details:
Read more »
Joel Embiid Is Always Left on the OutsideDespite leading the league in scoring, Joel Embiid was not selected as a starter in the NBA All-Star game. It’s a theme ongoing throughout his career, Herring_NBA writes
Read more »