Sixers give themselves a chance

need from him, whether it’s playmaking or tonight just going and getting buckets, especially based on how they were guarding him and making tough shots,” Embiid said. “He’s been doing that his whole career. That’s why he’s here.”

The NBA fined the Sixers $50,000 for violating the league’s injury-reporting rules by not giving Embiid’s participation status in “an accurate and timely manner” before Game 3 vs. Miami. Essentially, the league was saying the Sixers

should’ve initially listed Embiid as doubtful rather than out and then updated him to questionable rather than doubtful.

The Sixers had Embiid as questionable for Game 4, though there was little doubt he would play.

He had a big first quarter with 15 points on 5-fot-6 shooting to key the Sixers’ 30-28 lead going into the second. Wearing a protective mask again, Embiid finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

While being at home in Games 3 and 4 contributed to the Sixers evening the series, Embiid’s return was essential. It’s no accident that they’re 2-0 when he’s played after losing the first two with Embiid sidelined by a facial fracture and mild concussion.

Embiid is also the primary reason the Sixers went from 14 for 64 on 3-pointers in the first two games to 32 of 66 in the two victories.

Harden helped, too.

“It’s just James being James,” said Sixers coach Doc Rivers. “He played great. I said it before the game I thought he would have a big game tonight. I didn’t know (he’d have) 31 points and all the other stuff.”

It’s essentially become a best-ofthree with the top-seeded Heat having the extra home game for the right to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.

“Game 5 is going to be a lot of fun,” Rivers said.

It should be for the Sixers if James Harden can repeat his Game 4 performance.

AP Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden goes up for a shot against the Heat on Sunday in Game 4 of a second-round playoff series in Philadelphia. The 76ers won the game 116-108 to even the series 2-2.