Sixers: 3 takeaways from Game 3 stunner in Toronto
The Sixers entered Game 3 in Toronto with a 2-0 series lead and palpable momentum. Then Toronto punched first, and punched hard. The Sixers were flat-out awful in the first half, committing 15 turnovers, getting crushed on the offensive glass, and allowing Toronto’s physicality to impact their execution offensively.
If not for some timely shot-making from James Harden, the Sixers would have been down far more than 10 points at halftime. Then came the third quarter, and then came Joel Embiid. After scoring five points and committing four turnovers in the first half, Embiid scored 28 points between the start of the third quarter and the final buzzer — including the game-winning 3 at the end of overtime.
Embiid exorcised his Scotiabank Arena demons, and the Sixers now have Toronto on the ropes up 3-0. It only makes sense for us to start with some love for the big fella.
Sixers-Raptors game three takeaways: Joel Embiid is all grown up
Joel Embiid has come a long way over the course of his NBA career. Not long ago, the Raptors pretty much devoured Embiid’s offense whenever the two teams played. In the first half of this game, we got shades of those past nightmares. Five points, four turnovers, zero rhythm.
Once upon a time, such struggles might have deterred Embiid. Might have gotten to his head. In this game, he stayed the course, cut down on turnovers, and took it to the Raptors’ defense in the second half. He weathered the storm and he showcased why he’s on the shortlist of MVP candidates for a second straight year.
That’s all without mentioning Embiid’s outsized impact on the defensive end. He’s doing it all — switches, drop coverage, rim protection, rebounding, you name it. Embiid is one of the best defenders in basketball when he’s locked in, and the playoffs are always an excellent example of his two-way dominance.
Long gone are the days where double teams and physicality can tank an entire series for Embiid. He’s making better decisions in high-pressure moments, and for what feels like the first time, he now has a signature playoffs moment in his resumé. Embiid has been arguably the best player in the NBA through three postseason games. He’s here to win.