Nothing was about to shoot Philadelphia’s large centre off the court together with all the playoff series lead at stake.
Embiid, playing a cartilage tear in his right knee, added two rebounds, eight assists and three blocked shots. He played 34 minutes despite turning his arm on a single autumn and landing hard on his back to a second.
“I am OK,” Embiid explained. “I am standing up. I am walking. I ended the game. So I am gonna keep coming back up. I will keep battling. That has been me because I have been playing basketball. … Whatever happens, return and keep it moving.”
Tobias Harris had 22 points and Ben Simmons added 18 to help the 76ers finish Atlanta’s series of 13 home wins. The 76ers have taken the show lead with back-to-back wins.
Simmons has had chief defensive duty contrary to Trae Young, who led Atlanta with 28 points, in every one of the 76ers’ two wins from the sequence. On Friday nighthe had been challenged to have a larger offensive role, particularly with Embiid facing continuous double-teams.
“I was only hoping to push the speed and put in the street, stay competitive and get to the rim, then put into a rhythm,” Simmons explained. “I believe I did a fantastic job of this at the second half”
The 76ers played up to their No. 1 seed, taking a lead of 22 points and maintaining the benefit in double figures the majority of the second half. The Hawks played behind following their final lead at 11-10.
The Hawks have trouble matching with Embiid (7-0, 280) but also have dimension downsides at other areas, such as with all the 6-foot-9 Simmons protecting the 6-foot-1 Young.
“It is not anything we can not fix to,” Young stated.
However, if asked what the Hawks can perform, Young additional”Obviously, if I had the answers, then we would not be discussing it at this time.”
“I believe their dimension has had a direct effect on this particular series,” Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. “They just pretty much pounded us at the paint tonight”
After leading 65-60 early in the next phase, Philadelphia took control with an 11-0 run. The 76ers outscored the Hawks 34-19 at the next phase.
Simmons had two baskets during the run, such as a dip to get a 76-60 lead.
