NBA Playoffs: Joel Embbiid leads Sixers at comeback to victory in game 3: Just wanted to bite through
Joel Empbiid led the Sixers to the first victory in the series against Miami Heat during his surprising comeback. The center then spoke about how difficult it was for him. There was a special praise from James Harden.
In the morning the Sixers Embiid had listed as not available, then suddenly it went very quickly. First the center was able to leave the "Concussion Protocol", then a mask specially made for it was tested with the hammer and existed.
After a week break, Empbiid was back in the field in the 99: 79 victory in game 3 against the Heat after he suffered an eye socket fracture and a slight concussion in the final phase of game 6 against the Toronto Raptors in the round.
At 0-2, this was almost a must-win scenario for the Sixers and for Embiid, which also had to cope with a ligament tear in the thumb, there was an insert. "I did everything possible to play in this series again," said Embiid after the game.
And he did it amazingly well. 18 points (5/12 FG) and 11 rebounds were registered for the MVP candidate in a good 36 minutes. Of course, Embiid can do more, but under these circumstances it was worth all honors. "I didn't have much strength," said the 27-year-old. "I just wanted to bite through and act as a kind of bait in the field."
That also worked. James Harden, who was chased over the field in Miami by the Heat Defense, had more space again and even appeared a few times as a scorer (17, 4/11 FG, 8/8 ft, +27). After the game, "The Beard" also seemed visibly relieved that he no longer had to wear the complete load of the Sixers offense and distributed an extraob to his big man.
James Harden sees an MVP presentation
"I can't even imagine how difficult it was for him today," said Harten. "I also had a concussion and he also has a swollen face and a hand injury. We needed it and he delivered it. He was dominant at both ends, so he is the MVP and drives us to top performance."
Above all, Embiid's influence was noticeable, the Sixers suddenly got rebounds and Miami hardly scored anything near the basket. The HEATs only sank 14 of their 24 throws directly on the ring and only scored 79 points, as few as in the finals 2013.
"His influence was enormous," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra also had to admit. "You have to expect that from an MVP candidate (...) We knew that it would not be easy because they have a good team. We will now look for solutions."
Probably the heat will not throw 35 percent out of the field for the rest of the series, but with Embiid the dynamic was changing. Already on the night of Monday (2.30 a.m.) the Sixers are in demand again. "We still have a long way ahead of us," said Embiid. "We cannot collect 3-1, we need another victory on Sunday."
NBA Playoffs - Heat vs. Sixers: The series at a glance
| Game | Date | Time | Home | About | result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3. May | 1.30 a.m. | Miami Heat | Philadelphia 76ers | 106: 92 |
| 2 | 5. May | 1.30 a.m. | Miami Heat | Philadelphia 76ers | 119: 103 |
| 3 | 7. May | 1 o'clock | Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Heat | 99:79 |
| 4 | 9. May | 2 o'clock | Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Heat | - |
| 5 | 11. May | TBD | Miami Heat | Philadelphia 76ers | - |
| 6* | 13. May | TBD | Philadelphia 76ers | Miami Heat | - |
| 7* | 16. May | TBD | Miami Heat | Philadelphia 76ers | - |
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