In a highly anticipated NBA matchup, Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid showcased his scoring prowess with a dominant performance against the Denver Nuggets, leading his team to victory with a stat line of 41 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists. Embiid and teammate Tyrese Maxey combined for an impressive 15-of-24 from the field. The game featured a showdown between the last two Kia MVPs, Embiid and the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic, with Embiid coming out on top. Despite the Nuggets' strong record when leading after three quarters (24-5) and the 76ers' struggles when trailing after three (1-10 this season), the 76ers managed to overcome a deficit with Embiid's critical contribution in the final period. The Sixers closed as -2.5 point favorites and improved their record to 4-2 with Embiid against the Nuggets in Philadelphia. Embiid's performance solidified his status as a top player in the league, with post-game remarks acknowledging Jokic's talent.
Joel Embiid scores 41 to help 76ers pull away from Nuggets https://t.co/D7IVKRCVne https://t.co/Qn98qspCZ3
How we see Jokic VS how Embiid sees Jokic in every matchup... https://t.co/RvxcjvfzQf
EMBIID: "I just told him he's the best player in the league." https://t.co/U6kPH0Kh2X
βI just told him heβs the best player in the league.β Embiid with high praise for the Joker π€ https://t.co/DCSOvuqbwU
"I just told him he's the best player in the league." Joel Embiid says there's all love between the last two #KiaMVP's after their battle tonight. https://t.co/84G3H70lKL
Hey, Philly: At least you still have Embiid. Back-to-back 41s, tonight in a win over Joker. And at least you DON'T have Harden any more. You'll go farther without him.
Joel Embiid's last 3 matchups with Nikola Jokic: 41 points 47 points 34 points JoJo is 2-1 against Joker in these games. https://t.co/tVHfFQXApE
Philly is now a Sixers town (Eagles who?). Sweet win over Nuggets tonight, Embiid with 41/7/10. Impressive team.
Joel Embiid since checking back in: 3-for-3 from the field. 8 points overall. And Philly has outscored Denver 10-2. Sixers lead 121-113 with 4:53 to go. It's now a 16-2 run for Philly to answer the 15-2 run for Denver to end the third quarter.
There isn't a center in this league Embiid can't cook. The MVP.
Denver tapped the Jamal Murray/Nikola Jokic pick and roll button. First time down the Sixers don't execute the coverage, Murray gets a pullup. Next time down, the Sixers switch, it's PatBev vs. Jokic with Murray one pass away. https://t.co/GBRwaQmiSM
Nuggets are 24-5 when leading after 3, Sixers are 1-10 this season when trailing after 3. That said, this game is unique in a lot of ways.
Denver just makes you sustain defense. KCP and Jokic screen for Murray, Sixers switch everything and Batum kicks Maxey out of the Jokic matchup. So they go right into Jokic screening for Murray, Batum was trying to deny, layup. https://t.co/wrmIrWgXFQ
Good back and forth between Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey here. Go in the post, Denver looking to double, Maxey holds and they go back and forth. https://t.co/KdamxKrh7J
Embiid and Maxey 15-of-24 from the field.
Look how quick Denver can flip things on you. Embiid with a nice seal, Jackson sees it. 19 on the clock and KCP is screening for Jokic. Maxey shows, KCP already at 3PT line. Oubre stunts, MPJ now open for 3. https://t.co/e3MWkDLAwb
Maxey/Embiid empty side pick and roll, Denver in a drop and Embiid pops. Kick to Embiid, Jokic containing the drive, double coming, Joel Embiid did not care. https://t.co/TtuPslygOA
Supposed to be a big man battle but the Sixers decided that Joel Embiid canβt guard Nikola Jokic
You got excited for Embiid vs. Jokic and welcome to double teams on Embiid and Tobias Harris guarding Jokic.
Ahead of tonight's MVP showdown between Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, my report for @SportsCenter with @KevinNegandhi on Embiid's status on the second night of a back-to-back, plus my story with @BobbyMarks42 on the impact of the NBA's new 65-game eligibility rule for top awards. https://t.co/t51d38QU6J
Sixers -2.5 is the closing line (or close to it with 15 to go). I bet Sixers -1. This is a monster game for Philly and they're great at home. Sixers are 4-2 with Embiid vs. Nuggets in Philly all-time.
Philly has been great against the spread at home recently. π They're currently 1.5 point favorites tonight against Jokic and the Nuggets. π https://t.co/QQdkhWSvon
Winning last year's #KiaMVP made @JoelEmbiid think about his journey, and everything he's overcome and accomplished along the way. He faces the previous-reigning back-to-back #KiaMVP in Nikola Jokic, tonight at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. https://t.co/PyvL0ts5U2
With the Sixers on a back to back, I make Philly -1.5 vs. Denver tomorrow .
I would also bet Embiid plays, dominates, and wins tomorrow vs. the Nuggets. Denver's not good on the road. They'll miss Tucker on Jokic but this Sixers team is deeper and more balanced than last year.
Scoring is just so insanely easy for Embiid. Absolutely nothing you can do to slow him down this season.