Who could have imagined that Orlando, last in the Eastern Conference, would push the Sixers of the Embiid-Harden duo into overtime? Markelle Fultz’s teammates even deserved to win after leading by 17 points in the 1st half and another 10 points in the fourth quarter. Already winners of Wolves on Friday night, the Magic players even had the match point, but Cole Anthony, well defended by Matisse Thybulle, saw his 3-point shot hit the bottom of the circle…
Picking it up in the first half, with James Harden deprived of the ball, the Sixers fortunately raised the level of play for them after the break. First, Joel Embiid began to be found better by his teammates. Then, James Harden finally managed to get rid of the clutches of young Magic. Following a 3-point shot from Embiid four minutes from time, the Sixers even took the lead for the first time in the game. But Orlando didn’t give up and the end of the game was tough. It’s very simple, no one manages to score in the “money time”! We go into extra time when neither team has managed to score a single point for three minutes…
Again the Magic takes the lead to lead by four points with 85 seconds remaining with an Anthony on fire: three 3-point baskets in a row (113-109)! But Harden goes to score near the circle, then he finds Tobias Harris at 3-point (114-113). Behind Tyrese Maxey misses a throw. Franz Wagner and Harden too. Nobody wants to win this game? The match point goes to Anthony… but his last shot fails and Philly wins 116-114.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
A history of free throws… It’s often said that a basketball game is about the details, and the free throw is one of them. In overtime, Wagner had the equalizer, but missed his first pitch. Behind, James Harden can repel the Magic to 3-pointers, but he misses his shot, giving the Sixers a victory ball.
The envy of the Sixers. Doc Rivers’ players showed great strength of character to get back into the game. Outrageously led and dominated in the first half, the Sixers managed to turn things around in the second half. James Harden and Joel Embiid picked up the pace on offense and Philadelphia chained defensive stops. Like others, Philly finds its rhythm and plays its best basketball through defense.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅Joel Embiid. Before rubbing shoulders with Nikola Jokic on Monday evening, Joël Embiid had the opportunity to warm up. Rather a passer at first, he was able to rev up thereafter. Finally found by his teammates near the basket, he became unplayable. His address is not very high (9/28 on shots), but his power does the rest. He showed up 17 times at the free throw line to finish with 33 points. All with 16 rebounds for him.
✅Tobias Harris. If the Sixers want to go far in the playoffs, Harris will have to be on top. Less requested in attack since the arrival of Harden, it is he who plants this 3-pointer which hurts very badly in overtime. Long before, it was he who had kept his team afloat in the first period. He has less the ball in hand, but his shooting quality is important: 26 points and 9 rebounds for him.
✅Wendell Carter Jr. Little by little, the former Bulls player is starting to do great things in the NBA and to establish himself as a leader. Present in rebounds, he was able to impose his power back to the basket but also facing the circle. Yet opposed to Embiid, he scored 23 points and 12 rebounds. He is the symbol of the values of Magic: aggressiveness, enthusiasm and defense.
⛔The Sixers bench. Only 19 points, including 16 for Georges Niang alone, scored by the Sixers bench. DeAndre Jordan and Shake Milton had no impact on the game, and it’s worrying a month before the playoffs.
THE FOLLOWING
Orlando (18-51): Tuesday, Nets reception of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Philadelphia (41-25): Big back-to-back with the visit of the Nuggets of Nikola Jokic.
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