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Getty Heat forward Jimmy Butler guards Sixers center Joel Embiid during a game in Miami on January 15, 2022.
The things that Joel Embiid has been doing on the basketball court these days have been superhuman. The Philadelphia 76ers big man scored 32 points and grabbed 12 rebounds on Saturday night during a 109-98 road win over the Miami Heat. He was dominating. Again.
Embiid has scored at least 30 points in 10 straight games to join James Harden and Tracy McGrady as the only players to do so in the past 18 years. Harden did so during his 2018 MVP campaign, a major note that should bode well in Embiid’s pursuit of the award. His stat line over the last 30 days: 31.8 points and 10.1 rebounds per game on 53.7% shooting from the field. It has been unstoppable. And the Sixers are 9-1 since Dec. 26.
Joel Embiid showing why he is one of the best players in the #NBA. After having just 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting in the first half, he was 9-of-11 shooting and scored 25 points in the second half. He finished with 32 points/12 rebounds. His tenth consecutive away game with 30 points pic.twitter.com/Qld74ZuAwd
— Jas Kang (@jaskang21) January 16, 2022
So it was fun to hear Embiid criticize himself in his postgame interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Kate Scott. The 7-footer was more focused in his terrible first half (3-of-11 shooting for seven points) than he was in his herculean second half. Surprisingly, Embiid was being outplayed by Heat rookie Omer Yurtseven, and that didn’t sit well with him.
“Man, I was the worst basketball player in that first half. I mean, it was bad. I couldn’t believe it,” Embiid told Scott. “But anyway, my elbow also played a big part. I mean, it was really painful, so I told myself in the second half not to think and just go out there and do your thing. But it wasn’t about me, the guys on the floor – Tobias [Harris], set [Curry], [Tyrese] Maxey: Everybody showed up playing great defense and knocking down big shots.”
Embiid had been listed as questionable prior to Saturday night’s advisory due to elbow soreness. Shake Milton (back contusion), Danny Green (hip), Matisse Thybulle (shoulder) missed the game against the Heat.
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Harris, Curry take lead in first half
Embiid wasn’t kidding about being the worst basketball player in the first half. Fortunately, Tobias Harris saved the day. The most recent victim of booing in Philly scored a team-high 15 points and went 3-for-3 from the ground from 3-point range before halftime. He finished with 22 points and eight rebounds for +19. The Sixers also needed their 42 minutes of work.
Sixers win in Miami, 109-98. They are 25-17. And that could be the best win of the season.
Tobias Harris (22 points on 9-13 FG) and the defense kept them afloat in a tough first half. The shots from Joel Embiid (32-12-3) and Seth Curry (21-5-5) to close it out were of a very high standard.
– Rich Hofmann (@rich_hofmann) 16 de enero de 2022
Seth Curry was equally impressive, especially in the third quarter. He scored 11 points in the frame, including three great 3-pointers along with a 26-foot shot in the closing seconds. Curry finished the game with 21 points and five assists for +13. Tyrese Maxey added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Jimmy Butler praises his former teammate Embiid
Jimmy Butler and Embiid were teammates for a fruitful half-season in Philadelphia, one that was one rebound away from Kawhi Leonard from possibly extending further into the playoffs. They struck up a quick and lasting friendship over those 55 games, so it was no surprise to see Butler head straight to the Sixers’ bench to fix Embiid before the game.
The Heat forward also spent some time defending Embiid in the fourth quarter as Miami moved to a smaller lineup. As good as Yurteven was offensively, he couldn’t stop the All-Star center down the stretch. After the game, Butler called out his old friend and explained how he impacted the outcome.
“Score, rebound, force additional help,” Butler said of what Embiid got right. “Being the dominant player that he has been for a long time. He did that.”
Remember, there were reports that Embiid wanted Butler back for the 2019-20 season, but the chemistry with Ben Simmons just wasn’t there. Instead, the Sixers sided with Simmons and Butler went to South Beach. Never forget.
Jimmy Butler returns on Saturday. He still talks to Joel Embiid. ❤️ jojo
“Because that mutha****a is special. Really. I always tell him: ‘Keep showing why you are the best player in this league.’ Because I saw it. He can do everything”
Good reading @MrMichaelLee pic.twitter.com/Vj3q7AqwQn
— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) November 21, 2019
