The Embiid that is capable of taking over games all on his own in the snap of the fingers. He looked like the Joel Embiid who won the MVP. The newly named Most Valuable Player in the league had been bothered by a big bulky brace that supported his sprained knee, but in Game 5 doctors gave him the green light to play without it.
Joel Embiid looked like the NBA's MVP yet again, scoring 33 points in the 115-103 victory. If the 76ers are truly going to be a title contender, they're going to need to figure out their defensive scheme over the final month of the regular season.The Philadelphia 76ers marched into Boston and took Game 5 on the road, jumping out to a 3-2 lead from TD Garden on Tuesday night. The Nets dominated the paint and shot nearly 50 percent from the 3-point line, getting seemingly any shot they wanted all night long. One of the biggest questions after the Harden trade was how the Sixers defense would fare against a high-powered offense. Philly has looked great with Harden and Embiid so far, but this was a wake-up call that the James Harden we see in the regular season is not often the James Harden we see in the postseason. His passing and dribbling were off as well, as he had four turnovers with many more tipped passes along the way.
#76ERS SCORE LAST NIGHT FREE#
It wasn't just that Harden missed shots - he looked confused and passive for much of the night, only attempting two free throws while settling for contested jumpers. Harden came into Thursday's matchup with a reputation for poor playoff performances and shrinking in the big moment. The fact remains: if Durant is healthy, the Nets can win any playoff series. He also got in Embiid's face after a collision in the first quarter and scowled a little harder after one of his dunks, indicating that this game meant more to him than an average regular-season affair. He got any shot that he wanted all night long, showcasing his versatility and ability to score from virtually any spot on the court. Even without Simmons, Brooklyn looked airtight on both ends of the floor, with Durant clearly the best player on a floor that featured multiple superstars. If people had forgotten about the Nets as a bona fide championship contender, they certainly reminded everyone on Thursday night. Here are a few takeaways, followed by a recap of live updates from Thursday night's game. Joel Embiid did everything he could, putting up 27 points and 12 rebounds in 30 minutes, but it was nowhere near enough. Things didn't go well for Harden in his first game against the Nets since the trade, as he went just 3 for 17 from the field en route to 11 points, six rebounds, five assists and four turnovers. Kyrie Irving added 22 points on 5-for-11 3-point shooting. Kevin Durant was spectacular, leading the Nets with 25 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists in 32 minutes, while Seth Curry - also a part of the Harden/Simmons trade, went off for 24 points on 10-for-14 shooting against his former team. Simmons, who didn't play, was met with boos from his former home crowd before the game, but it eventually turned its ire upon its own team due to the disheartening performance. The Nets came out of the gates hot and never trailed, putting a thumping on the 76ers, who had been undefeated with Harden since the trade. What was supposed to be one of the most exciting games of the NBA season quickly devolved into a laugher, as the Brooklyn Nets went into Philadelphia to deliver a robust 129-100 win over the 76ers in the first matchup between the two teams since last month's colossal trade involving James Harden and Ben Simmons.
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