Joel Embiid shot 4-21 from the field in the Philadelphia 76ers’ last game, a statline that should’ve warned Jay Huff that he was in for a long night, as he eclipsed that amount in just over one quarter
Embiid totaled 39 points in the 76ers’ (14-10) 115-105 win against the Indiana Pacers (6-19) at Xfinity Mobile Arena on Friday night – his largest output since his 70-point performance versus the San Antonio Spurs on January 22nd, 2024. Although this production is likely unsustainable, the seven-time all-star found success playing on and off the ball, something that Philadelphia can continue implementing.
Tyrese Maxey missed his first game of the season due to an illness, which shifted Embiid back into the 76ers’ go-to scorer. Considering his sporadic availability and production decrease, many wondered how he would handle the heightened burden. By the first half’s end, fans received all the clarity they needed.
Embiid accumulated 19 points through two quarters, moving the best he has all season on both ends of the court. He dribbled to his spots quicker, drew fouls off the point of attack like the old days and anchored Philadelphia’s offense from the post.
The big added 20 more points in the second half for good measure. Along with leading all scorers, he pitched in nine rebounds, three assists and shot 13-18 from the foul line.
While Embiid primarily scored off the dribble, the 76ers still featured him in pick-and-pops, especially with Quentin Grimes who started in Maxey’s place. It’s unreasonable to expect the center to rattle off multiple 30-point outings in proximity at this stage in his career, but his on-and-off-ball usage should remain in Philadelphia’s gameplan.
If the 76ers can lower Embiid’s wear and tear by using him in actions with Maxey, Paul George, etc., it will keep him fresh for nights where they need him to turn back the clocks.
Here’s how it all happened:
First quarter
Without Maxey, Philadelphia’s offensive process was a mystery that George quickly solved. He accounted for the 76ers’ first seven points, contributing two points and assists. His facilitating was the catalyst behind their early transition success, but it was VJ Edgecombe’s scoring that stole the spotlight.
He burnt Indiana’s defense off a fastbreak en route to a dunk that gave Philadelphia a four-point lead less than four-and-a-half minutes into the period. The rookie showcased his athleticism off the bounce as well as his spot-up shooting, tallying 14 points on 5-6 shooting from the field through 12 minutes.
George and Edgecombe’s hot-starts went a long way as they finished with 23 and 22 points, respectively, while each tallying five assists sharing ball-handling responsibilities throughout the game.
The Pacers weren’t far behind however, trailing the 76ers 34-31 entering the second frame.
Indiana found success in the restricted area as it took advantage of Philadelphia’s drop coverage through TJ McConnell pick-and-rolls. He made four of his first five field-goal attempts and the Pacers collectively feasted down low, scoring 16 points in the paint in the quarter.
Second quarter
Indiana picked up where it left off, launching a 9-1 run with Jay Huff’s three-pointer giving it a one-point lead less than three minutes into the period. The 76ers started well defensively, supplying timely on-ball help rotations, but the Pacers began exposing the cracks by finding cutters and weak-side shooters.
Offense was hard to come by for Philadelphia, who relied upon Jared McCain as its premiere ball-handler early in the frame. McConnell pestered the sophomore, as he shot 2-5 from the field and coughed up one turnover through 20 minutes. The guard also fell victim to defensive lapses against Indiana’s rapid ball movement.
Many expected McCain to shoulder a larger responsibility sans Maxey, but he played just three minutes in the second half, with the McConnell matchup likely playing a factor.
Enter Embiid.
He scored 15 of his 19 first-half points in the quarter, appearing more decisive and aggressive attacking off the dribble. The center inflicted his typical damage around the elbow, exploiting single coverage and drawing fouls. His offensive burst regained Philadelphia a 63-58 advantage walking into the locker room.
Third quarter
Embiid continued to pour it on the Pacers in the second half, eclipsing 20 points just one minute into the third quarter. Philadelphia effectively blended in post-ups and pick-and-pops into the seven-time all-star’s shot diet, allowing him to shred Indiana’s defense in various ways. He drilled a spot-up three to score his 13th consecutive points and give the 76ers a 69-61 lead.
The 76ers’ offense stopped at Embiid, however.
Philadelphia hit a wall offensively when the 2022-23 Most Valuable Player took a seat, allowing Indiana to level the score at 90 through three quarters. Between the Pacers’ bench contributions and philosophical relentlessness, the 76ers saw their lead vanish. Andrew Nembhard headlined Indiana’s comeback, scoring 11 of his 18 points in the frame.
Fourth quarter
George scored six points in the last two minutes of the third frame, which helped prevent the Pacers from enjoying an edge entering the last quarter. He tried to revitalize Philadelphia’s offense by getting downhill using Andre Drummond’s screens, but saw mixed results. Even when Embiid and Edgecombe returned, the 76ers’ offense remained stuck, missing six of their first nine shot attempts of the frame.
Indiana clung onto a one-point advantage midway into the last 12 minutes until Dominick Barlow made his mark.
His finishing, cutting and rebounding culminated into a 18-5 Philadelphia run. He notched six of his 10 points in the quarter, including a layup that regained the 76ers a two-point lead with three-and-a-half minutes left in regulation, and finished with eight rebounds while shooting 4-8 from the field.
Philadelphia’s offense did just enough to maintain its lead, but its defense truly put the game on ice. The 76ers limited Indiana to 15 points in the quarter as its offensive processes devolved with the contest at a slower pace. Philadelphia’s timely switches and closeouts led it to its 14th win of the season.
The 76ers will visit the Atlanta Hawks (14-12) at State Farm Arena on December 14th at 6 p.m. EST.