When Nikola Jokic called Joel Embiid “probably” the most dominant player in the NBA ahead of Saturday’s showcase, he knew the storm that awaited him.
Embiid showed off a level few players in the league ever reach, bludgeoning the Nuggets for 47 points and 18 rebounds en route to Philadelphia’s 126-119 win. Embiid’s dagger 3-pointer with 30 seconds left was followed by a shoulder shrug reminiscent of Michael Jordan against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Jokic was strong, ending the marquee contest with 24 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, but Embiid’s effort was otherworldly. The Nuggets fell to 34-16 with a game Tuesday, at home, against the Pelicans. But the Sixers shot 51 percent from 3-point range, knocking down 18 3-pointers for their seventh win in a row.
When the Sixers switched their coverage, opting for P.J. Tucker on Jokic instead of Embiid, it led to angst – and a handful of technical fouls on both sides. The Nuggets felt he was too physical with Jokic, while Tucker played to his size disadvantage. The Sixers whittled away at the margin and trailed just 99-96 heading into the fourth.
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