The Celtics were predictably no match for Joel Embiid and the Sixers as the big man dominated en route to a 50 point outburst.
What started as a tightly contested game quickly moved in the Sixers’ favor as a combination of turnovers and foul trouble plagued the Celtics. Joel Embiid led the effort forcing many of the Celtic fouls, and Danny Green‘s electric night was enough to seal the game for Philadelphia, who finished on top with a final score of 106-96.
Sixers Player of the Game
Joel Embiid
What can you say? There are few, if any, teams that Embiid has dominated this season, like the Celtics. The MVP candidate is now averaging over 38 points in three games against Boston. The Sixers’ center scored 30+ points for the 16th time this season. Although his rebounding numbers were down, it didn’t matter as the team didn’t need him to as they were able to out-rebound the Celtics 38-32.
What was most impressive for Embiid tonight was his ability to head to the free-throw line. Embiid attempted an incredible 20 shots from the charity stripe and hitting an impressive 80% of them. That number would be impressive for nearly any player, but it wasn’t enough for Embiid.
No one would have guessed, but the Philadelphia 76ers should be chomping at the bit to face the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. As long as Embiid is healthy, the Sixers match up better against the Celtics than any other team save for the Charlotte Hornets.
Honorable Mention: Danny Green
Joel Embiid was clearly the man of the hour, but Danny Green‘s first-half should undoubtedly earn him some respect. Green shot 4/5 from three and helped push the Sixers to a 13 point halftime lead. He didn’t have much of an offensive impact in the second half, but he hit a clutch three to swing momentum with two minutes left.
Green has been incredibly important to the Sixers so far this season and will be a key piece in the team’s playoff push. The Sixers should do everything in their power to keep this man around this offseason.
Up Next
The Philadelphia 76ers will have a couple of nights’ rest before a back-to-back that will start with a face-off against Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM EST, and you can catch the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia or, as always, listen live at 97.5 FM The Fanatic.
Philly is 1-0 on this road trip so far; with the Pelicans, Thunder, and Mavericks upcoming, it would be extremely disappointing for the team to finish this road trip worse than 3-1.
