Joel Embiid Scores Career-High 33 Points To Lead 76ers To 108-107 Win Over Nets

Joel Embiid scored a career-high 33 points — 17 of them in the third quarter — to carry the Philadelphia 76ers to a 108-107 home victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night in a matchup of two of the NBA’s worst teams.

Joel Embiid Scores Career-High 33 Points To Lead 76ers To 108-107 Win

Embiid said he was inspired by Sixers Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, whom the team honored on Friday night against the Lakers.

”A.I. kind of helped me with that,” Embiid said. ”It was like, `Play like it’s your last game.’ That’s what I think I’ve been doing. I’m sorry for that person. I think I stepped on his shoulder. I’m sorry, but I’m going to give my all every time I’m on the court.”

Embiid was 12 of 17 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc, and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Embiid also added 10 rebounds and also dived over the first row in an effort to save a loose ball, a hustle play that thrilled Philadelphia’s gritty fans.

”He wanted to dominate the game,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said.

Ersan Ilyasova added 22 points for the 76ers, who snapped an eight-game home losing streak while winning for the third time in 13 games.

Brook Lopez led Brooklyn with 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists. The Nets dropped their ninth straight game on the road.

”We just couldn’t get over the hump,” Lopez said. ”I don’t know if there’s that much analysis to it.”

The Sixers (7-20) and Nets (7-19) are tied with Dallas and Minnesota for the least wins in the league.

Philadelphia had the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to gain its biggest lead, 94-86, with 9:09 remaining on Ilyasova’s long jumper. Embiid, held to 28 minutes by the Sixers, headed to the bench at the very end of the run. He re-entered with 4 1/2 minutes left and the 76ers holding onto a 97-96 lead.

Lopez’s drive gave Brooklyn a 98-97 lead before Embiid’s 3-pointer from atop the key capped a nearly five-minute field goal drought and put Philadelphia ahead 100-98 with 2:43 remaining.

Jeremy Lin later stripped Embiid with the Nets down by one, although Brooklyn failed on two instances to get ahead: Trevor Booker missed a 3-pointer and Sean Kilpatrick misfired on a short jumper.

Embiid snagged the rebound, was fouled and sank both free throws with 12.5 seconds left to give the Sixers a 104-101 advantage.

Lin, playing in his eight game of an injury-filled season, finished with 16 points.

Joe Harris tied his career high with 19 points for the Nets.

”I like our competitive spirit,” Nets coach Kenny Atkinson said. ”That’s been us all year. We’re a team that fights and competes. Down the road, I think it’s going to pay off, that attitude and grit.”

Jahlil Okafor went 0 for 10 from the field with three points but had 11 rebounds.

The Nets will next visit the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night to cap a three-game trip.

The 76ers will cap a four-game home-stand against New Orleans on Tuesday night. The Sixers defeated the Pelicans 99-88 on Dec. 8.

PHILADELPHIA, PA – OCTOBER 26: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Wells Fargo Center on October 26, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Article by Pablo Mena