Sixers vs. Spurs: 3 takeaways from a near-collapse

1. Joel Embiid is at the top of his game

Kyle Neubeck of PhillyVoice said it best: if Embiid plays like he has so far, the Sixers have a chance against anybody. And he’s right. Embiid has looked the part of a top-10 player, even if his teammates have struggled to provide support. If Embiid is at the top of his game, he’s good enough to give Philadelphia a chance each night.

The Spurs, like the Pacers, were a favorable matchup for Embiid. Shorthanded in the frontcourt, San Antonio’s options to defend the hulking 7-footer were limited. Jakob Poeltl and Drew Eubanks tried, but more often than not failed. The Spurs’ only solution was a steady stream of double teams, which Embiid handled exceedingly well.

That is perhaps the most promising development of the Sixers’ first two bubble games. Embiid is handling double teams with greater poise than he has in the past. Against San Antonio, he made multiple high-level passes to open teammates. It will get more difficult against bigger opponents, but better reading of double teams has always been the next step in Embiid’s superstar progression.

Embiid didn’t quite measure up to his 41-point explosion against Indiana, but he dropped an efficient 27 points and carried the Sixers’ offense down the stretch. He was in command of his skill set, he put constant pressure on the rim, and San Antonio’s defense was helpless to stop him.

In fact, Milton’s game-winning 3 was in large part due to Embiid’s presence. The Spurs defense crowded Embiid in the post. As a result, Dejounte Murray left the inbounding Milton with plenty of space to launch a 3.

Props to Horford for making the read, but really, the shot was a result of Embiid’s unique gravity.

The Sixers need to get better all-around before the playoffs start. But Embiid is Embiid, and if it stays that way, Philadelphia will have an outside shot. Few players in the league can compromise a defense like Embiid, and the big fella seems to be leaning into that in Orlando.