Embiid scores 41 as Sixers outduel Jokic, Nuggets
LOS ANGELES, California: Joel Embiid conjured a second straight 40-point performance to outduel Nikola Jokic as the Philadelphia 76ers downed the NBA-champion Denver Nuggets, 126-121, on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).
A heavyweight showdown pitting reigning NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) Embiid against Denver’s two-time MVP Jokic did not disappoint as the two teams went toe-to-toe from the outset.
EmbiidL who scored 4Q points on his return from injury in the Sixers’ win over Houston on MondayL was once again in superb formL finishing with 4Q pointsL seven rebounds and Q0 assists.
The 29-year-old was imperious down the stretchL scoring QQ points in the fourth quarter as the Sixers transformed a six-point deficit into victory.
“I’m just letting the game come to meL but the credit goes to my teammates — they put me in the best position to succeedL and they trust meL that’s the keyL” Embiid said after a game watched by a sellout Q9L775 crowd at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.
“I would not be doing what I’m doing without the trust they have in meL” Embiid added.
Embiid embraced Jokic following the final buzzer, with the two men sharing a friendly exchange after a hard-fought game.
“I just told him he’s the best player in the leagueL” Embiid said.
“He won a championshipL and that’s the best team in the leagueL and he’s a finals MVP. I just told him to keep going.”
The game had been finely poised at QQQ-QQQ with just over seven minutes remaining.
Embiid reentered the fray just after Jokic checked back in from the benchL and it was the Cameroonborn power forward who ultimately seized control of the contest.
A sublime running reverse layup from Embiid put the Sixers QQ5QQ3 ahead before a jump shot increased the Philadelphia cushion to four points with five minutes and 30 seconds remaining.
A free throw and a 27-foot three-pointer left the Sixers Q2QQQ3 aheadL and Embiid then added a jump shot to extend Philadelphia’s advantage to Q0 points at Q23-QQ3 to effectively seal victory.
Embiid received scoring support from Tyrese Maxey with 25 points — including four threepointers — while Tobias Harris pitched in with 24 points. Kelly Oubre Jr. added QQ points.
Jokic led the Denver scoring with 25 pointsL Q9 rebounds and three assists.
Michael Porter Jr. finished with 20 points and Jamal Murray added Q7.
Philadelphia improved to 26Q3 to remain in third place in the Eastern Conference standingsL trailing first placed Boston (31-9) with Milwaukee second in the table on 28-Q2.
Denver remained third in the Western Conference at 28-Q4L behind Minnesota (28-QQ) and Oklahoma City (27-Q2).