A happy Joel Embiid is the best type of Embiid.
After another blowout loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night combined with Ben Simmons leaving the game injured, it felt like yet another gut punch.
The Sixers 129-112 win over the Atlanta Hawks doesn’t erase the frustration of their continued road struggles, but it was nice to see Embiid look like an unstoppable dominate force everywhere on the court.
Plus, it always a bonus when he’s having fun and playing to the crowd when dominating his opponents.
One man wrecking crew
Just like the game last week against the Brooklyn Nets, Embiid willed his team to a win.
After giving up 40 points in the third quarter and blowing a 17-point lead in the process, the Sixers star center needed to take over the game in the final quarter.
He did that and then some.
Embiid scored 22 fourth quarter points on his way to a career-high 49 points to go along with 14 rebounds and three assists.
The Sixers, specifically Embiid, took advantage of the lack of size the Hacks interior defense presented.
Without Simmons as the primary facilitator on offense, the game plan appeared to include featuring and heavy dose of Embiid in the post.
The native of Cameroon wasn’t afraid to get down low and take the necessary punishment.
The Hawks were forced to double him throughout the game and couldn’t defend him without fouling.
Embiid made a living at the free-throw line, making 14 of 15 attempts.
It can’t end after one game
Like I mentioned earlier, Ben Simmons isn’t going to be around for the foreseeable future.
The Sixers need Tobias Harris to take a larger role scoring and creating for others, while Josh Richardson will handle the ball in the half-court.
But ultimately, it’s up to Embiid to get carry the load.
We can’t expect 49 points every game but what is reasonable is the energy and attitude he brought to Monday night’s game.
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