In what was a must-win Game 3 for the 76ers on Thursday, Joel Embiid scored 50 points on just 19 field-goal attempts, resulting in one of the most efficient playoff performances in NBA history.
His massive game got the Sixers on the board after they dropped the first two in their first-round series with the Knicks.
It was primarily due to getting to the foul line, where he shot 21 free throws, but he also knocked down five of his seven 3-point tries.
Embiid finished the game with more free-throw attempts (21) than the entire Knicks team (19), a statistic not well received by New York fans.
Unfortunately, his phenomenal performance has been partially overshadowed by a flagrant foul on Mitchell Robinson.
Embiid was assessed a Flagrant-1 foul, but many people believe he should have been ejected because it was a non-basketball play, and a dangerous one at that.
Regardless, these two teams have disdain for one another, and the level of physicality will likely only increase as their first-round series continues.
Will Embiid be able to put together another hyper-efficient offensive performance at home Sunday, or will the Knicks make the proper adjustments and extend their series lead to 3-1?
After securing an 11-point win in Game 3, the Sixers are five-point favorites in Game 4 in Philadelphia.
It took an all-time performance from Embiid and a phenomenal team shooting split of 55/48/85 with 33 free-throw attempts to put the Knicks away confidently.
That it took that kind of effort should be deeply concerning for the Sixers moving forward.
Further, Jalen Brunson finally broke out of his two-game shooting slump with a terrific 39-point outing, which will open up the floor for the Knicks’ other shooters and secondary scorers again.
Another concern for the 76ers is that they gave up 54 points in the paint, an eye-opening amount when playing against a team that doesn’t have their three-time All-Star power forward Julius Randle or an offensive-minded big man.
Philly’s defense also looked out of sorts and discombobulated at times in the halfcourt, giving up straight-line drives to the rim, and open dunks and layups. The Sixers’ transition defense was not much better.
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Though the Knicks are the slowest team in pace this season, it would not be surprising if Tom Thibodeau
recognized their advantage in transition (17.7 fast-break points in their past three games) and leaned into an even faster style of play. This will be especially important when Embiid is in the game.
This series is getting extremely chippy — which is advantageous for the Knicks, who have played that way all season.
If Embiid and Philly don’t get the calls they got in Game 3 or shoot at a similar clip as a team, this game could swing in the Knicks’ favor.
Philly could still squeak out a win if Tyrese Maxey and Embiid continue to play at this level, but the Knicks should be able to keep this one close.
Take the Knicks and the points.
