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Philadelphia 76ers: Joel Embiid’s Inspired Performance Was Critical to Huge win vs Miami

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics
By Christian Alamodin | Last updated 4/18/24

The Philadelphia 76ers almost threw away their play-in game against the Miami Heat, but they managed to pull off a nice win against the Heat to edge them out on the back of an incredible Nicolas Batum performance.

However, he wasn’t the only one who put up inspiring numbers against Jimmy Butler and the Heat. Joel Embiid was just as vital for his Sixers’ play-in win, finishing the game with

Not only did he hold the fort down with his offensive and defensive contributions, but his calmness under pressure also became vital to helping the team edge out a competitive Miami squad.

Joel Embiid led the Philadelphia 76ers to win tough duel vs Miami Heat

Joel Embiid led the team with his 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and one steal. While he had a terrible six-for-seventeen shooting performance, he sank nine of his 10 free-throw attempts to keep the team in contention.

However, there was a point in the game when the Sixers were behind by a huge margin and the fans turned on their team. It was during this moment that Embiid let cool heads reign supreme.

Per Eurosport’s Nancy Gillen:

“There was lots of booing, but we stuck together,” said Embiid. “It just shows that when I don’t play my best, I don’t get to my spots the whole game until the fourth quarter, we still find a way to win.”

Embiid had Batum to thank for the Sixers managing to squeak past the Heat. The veteran winger was unstoppable off the bench for the Sixers, converting seven of his 12 attempts to finish with 20 points, five rebounds, and one block.

His impact was vital as Tyrese Maxey’s shots also didn’t fall. While he finished with 19 points, his 6-for-16 shooting leaves a lot to be desired for a team pushing to make a deep playoff run.

However, what’s important for Joel Embiid and the Sixers is that they’re in the playoffs. The New York Knicks won’t be easy opponents to face, but the Sixers have a decent shot if they manage to contain Jalen Brunson.

This article first appeared on Hardwood Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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