Nikola Milutinov had just beaten him on the rebound with an important tap. So Joel Embiid did himself justice like a great. Ball in hand from the halfway line, the Sixers pivot stopped at the free throw line, one of his “spots”, and penalized in front of a Nikola Jokic too far from him.
A calm response to bring Team USA back to five points (82-77) with less than six minutes to play in this Olympic semi-final. A calmness that he has not always shown in recent weeks in selection.
But last night, in this game that had gotten off to such a bad start for the Americans, they needed the 2023 MVP. A few seconds later in this fourth quarter, LeBron James served him near the circle for a finish with the backboard, and with the foul this time (84-80).
Kevin Durant fed him again on the next possession. In the post facing a Nikola Jokic forced to be cautious in defense because of his four fouls, Joel Embiid signed his characteristic “fadeaway” (84-82).
His best match of the Games
” I knew Jokic had four fouls. So he wasn't going to go up, I had a lot of space. “, notices the interioralso highlighting the spaces generated by the “ best shooter of all time », the incandescent Stephen Curry.
Behind this last shot scored against his main competitor for the title of MVP in the NBA in recent years, the native of Cameroon continued with an authoritative block on a penetration by Ognjen Dobric. On this key sequence and the whole of a game finished with 19 points (8/11 on shots), 4 rebounds and 2 assists (and +15 when he was in play) in 27 minutes, Joel Embiid was decisive.
For Steve Kerr, who had done without him against South Sudan, he was the ” best option ” to fight against the reigning MVP.” Because he can score and make him work on the other end of the floor. Joel's work in the second half forced Jokic to defend, and maybe that tired him out a little bit later on. ” imagines the technician.
A fatigue that was not only noticeable on the scale of Nikola Jokic (3/7 shooting in the last quarter): the Serbs missed all their long-range attempts to finish the game. Non-existent during the first clash (4 points and 3 fouls in 11 minutes), Joel Embiid did not suffer from this fatigue.
No matter the whistles, priority to gold
” We have a lot of talent on this team. Tonight was different. I needed to score more, attack more, do whatever it took to win. We knew it was going to be a test. Playing a team three times, you're not always going to beat them by 20 points or more. “, says the interior in reference to the two previous meetings, at the Games and in preparation, largely won by Team USA.
He is now just one step away from the gold medal. On condition that he beats an opponent like no other for him, France, which he preferred to give up to join the Americans. Hence the whistles from the local public who have accompanied him since the start of the tournament.
” I don't care. The mission is to win gold. I'm not going to say that I don't like France, I do, I have a lot of knowledge here, I've spent time here. It will be a nice poster. […] I love France, but it doesn't scare me. […] There is only one goal: to win the gold medal, no matter what it costs. “, maintains the pivot, quoted by L'Équipe.
Photo FIBA.com
