During the previous two seasons, Joel Embiid often protested why he is not the most serious candidate for the MVP title, said that he is a better player than Nikola Jokić, and tonight he got one of the rare opportunities to show it in action.
Today's best centers collided for only the second time in the last three years, and the strong Cameroonian took a double victory.
Namely, Embiid completely outplayed the Serbian ace and with 47 points (24-14 for two, 7-4 for three, 10-7 shots), 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks led Philadelphia to victory over Denver. (126:119).
The Nuggets dominated in the 1st half, went to the break with plus 15 (73:58), and they had the same difference less than two minutes before the end of the 3rd quarter (99:84), but the Sixers' answer was the right one.
They scored 95 points in 12 seconds, then scored first at the start of the last quarter for 98:99, so Embid gave them the first lead (112:110) with five minutes to go after the opening 2:0.
The Cameroonian soon made a three-pointer, and then assisted Tobajas Heris for a goal from the same distance and an unattainable 118:110.
Jokić finished the match with 24 points (2-2 three-pointers, 10-6 for two, 6-6 shots), nine assists, eight rebounds, but also seven turnovers, one more than Embiid.
Bonus video:
