Joel Embiid’s 51-Point MVP Performance Against the Timberwolves

The player: Joel Embiid, an MVP card against Minnesota

What if, like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Nikola Jokic, the last two MVP winners before him, Joel Embiid also did the double by once again winning the most coveted individual trophy in the NBA? The Cameroonian interior is off to a very good start and is undoubtedly the big favorite for his own succession at the moment. His performance on Wednesday will remain among the highlights of the season: he scored 51 points to lead the Sixers to victory against the Timberwolves (127-113).

51 points against the best team in the league – in terms of record – and above all the best defense in the championship. But even Rudy Gobert and his partners could not do anything against an Embiid who was too dominant and who again gave the impression that everything is too easy for him when he is on the field. Minnesota received a price similar to that received by everyone who crossed paths with the 29-year-old in recent weeks.

This is his fourth peak at 40 units or more in the last five matches. Joel Embiid is by far the best scorer in the NBA and he even averages 39.6 points and 60% shooting over his last ten outings. With nine victories up for grabs for Philadelphia. Tyrese Maxey supported him again Wednesday evening by scoring 35 points. The Sixers notably managed a very high quality fourth quarter to take cover and thus inflict on the Timberwolves their sixth defeat of the season.

The match: Boston recovers by torpedoing Sacramento

The day after their defeat against the Warriors, the Celtics immediately revived by slamming 144 points against the Kings for an easy victory (119-144). Jayson Tatum missed the meeting but Kristaps Porzingis returned and Boston relied on its frames to explode the weak opposing defense. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White each scored 28 points, Porzingis scored 24 and Jrue Holiday flirted with a triple-double (21 points, 8 rebounds and 10 assists).

The Massachusetts franchise notably made the difference in the second and third quarters, winning 49-75 overall by tightening the screws in defense without giving up in attack. This victory allows the Celtics to regain the best record in the entire league.

The series: And 9 for the Clippers

Even the absence of Paul George (ill) and the fact of having partly wasted a 22-point lead did not prevent the Clippers from winning over the Mavericks (111-120) of Luka Doncic yet author of a triple-double (28 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists). The Californian team signed its ninth victory in a row, relying in particular on Kawhi Leonard’s 30 points. The two-time NBA champion is in great shape at the moment.

Los Angeles went 9-0 at the very end of the game to regain the lead once Dallas came back to within a small point. Leonard notably scored several decisive baskets. James Harden added 17 points and 11 assists. The Clippers moved up to fourth place in the Western Conference thanks to this series.

Kawhi Leonard

Credit: Getty Images

The performance: Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets unfold

The champion is starting to find his cruising speed. Denver scored a fifth success in six games by winning in Toronto (104-113). Nikola Jokic guided his team by posting 31 points, 15 rebounds and 6 assists. The Colorado franchise doesn’t make too much noise but it is well established on the podium in the Western Conference.

At state: 7-3

Like the Bulls’ record in the absence of Zach LaVine. Author of a catastrophic start to the season, with 5 small victories in 19 matches, the Illinois franchise is recovering since the withdrawal of the man who is considered the best player on the team. The cartridges are better distributed in attack and DeMar DeRozan and his teammates are thus less predictable. They offered themselves another convincing success by dominating the Lakers (124-108) last night with 8 players with 10 points or more.

The Frenchman: Rudy Gobert hampered by mistakes

Favorite for the DPOY trophy, Rudy Gobert did not have his usual impact last night. He was limited to 24 minutes following foul trouble and Joel Embiid scored 51 points for his Timberwolves. The French pivot finished with 8 points and 9 rebounds.

All scores

Cavaliers – Jazz : 124-116
Pacers – Hornets : 144-113
Magic – Heat : 106-115
Sixers – Timberwolves : 127-113
Nets – Knicks : 102-121
Raptors – Nuggets : 104-113
Bulls – Lakers : 124-108
Rockets – Hawks : 127-134
Kings – Celtics : 119-144

2023-12-21 07:00:49
#NBA #Joel #Embiid #Philadelphia #Sixers #plants #points #bring #Minnesota #Timberwolves