Joel Embiid repeatedly has mentioned that he believes he was snubbed when he didn’t win the Most Valuable Player award every of the previous two seasons when Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets did.
Then simply this week, Embiid mentioned he was stunned that he wasn’t named as a starter within the upcoming NBA All-Star Game regardless of main the league in scoring.
Embiid used these conditions as motivation in a stirring 47-point, 18-rebound efficiency in a 126-119 win over the Nuggets on Saturday.
He’ll have one other likelihood to construct his case for redemption when the Sixers search for their eighth consecutive victory as they host the Orlando Magic on Monday.
“I think it’s more of a motivation to go out there and try win the whole thing,” Embiid mentioned. “I guess that’s the only way I’m probably going to get that respect. I think that we’ve got a pretty good chance.”
Since beginning the season 12-12, the Sixers have gone 20-4 to surge into second place within the Eastern Conference.
The Sixers’ success is basically linked to Embiid, who produced his thirty third profession recreation with not less than 40 factors and 10 rebounds, in keeping with ESPN Stats and Information. Since the 1976-77 season, Embiid has the second-most 40-10 performances, trailing solely Shaquille O’Neal with 43.
Embiid additionally sparked a second-half comeback after the Sixers regarded a bit flat and trailed 73-58 on the half.
“To come back and be able to win that game, it gives us a lot of confidence,” Embiid mentioned. “If we can clean up a lot of areas defensively, I think we could be even better. It’s good to see. We’ve got a chance to win. We’ve got to keep winning. The key is to stay healthy.”
James Harden additionally was spectacular with 17 factors, 13 assists and no turnovers.
The Magic will look to keep away from a 3rd straight loss after they battle the Sixers.
Orlando fell 128-109 to the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, although it whittled a 25-point deficit down to 6 with 5:08 remaining.
Moritz Wagner paced the Magic with 27 factors, however the poor begin was an excessive amount of to beat.
“Obviously, the energy level wasn’t where we wanted to start the game,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley mentioned. “I really think sometimes it falls down to taking the easy route, in some ways. When it’s hard, you just want to catch and shoot. But we weren’t making shots and that takes its toll on the defense. But we have to be a defensive team first, whether the shots are falling or not.”
Cole Anthony added 21 factors, six rebounds and 6 assists and supplied a spark down the stretch.
But the Magic’s livid comeback landed brief.
“This is not an excuse but we were just flat,” Wagner mentioned. “And part of that was we put our head down too quickly. We kind of let go of our focus.”
Orlando’s Markelle Fultz will return to Philadelphia to play the crew that made him the No. 1 total decide within the 2017 NBA Draft. Fultz struggled with criticism from poor capturing and a shoulder harm with the Sixers.
In 29 video games (all begins) this season, Fultz is averaging 12.1 factors, 3.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists.
