Joel Embiid and James Harden are known to push their opponents to fault. The first because it is too big and too powerful near the circle. The second because he masters the art of jeter place their arms close to the defender playing with their body as they move towards the circle. Two free-throw machines now united under the flag of the Philadelphia Sixers. And that will get people talking.
For their second game together, the two All-Stars caused numerous passes on the restorative line. Almost the whole evening. 37 shots between them Sunday night against the New York Knicks. Including 27 for Embiid – a first for 3 years in the NBA. For 23 points from the pivot, in addition to the 10 out of 10 from his new teammate.
“Unstoppable”, confided the Cameroonian on his duet with the former MVP. ” What can you do ? He’s a great passer and he draws a lot of attention to himself. The defense must make a choice. Are you sticking with him or me? »
It also works because each of the two superstars is making an effort (for now?). Usually not fond of pick-and-roll, Joel Embiid agrees to set up screens and roll towards the circle. James Harden is back to playing collective, as he did in his debut at the Brooklyn Nets. It was later that it deteriorated. But winning and making an impression should encourage them to continue.
In any case, when they are accomplices, the defense often finds itself pushed to the fault. Harden and Embiid therefore fired more shots than the Knicks team as a whole: 37 to 35. Mitchell Robinson and Jericho Sims both went out for 6 fouls without spending 20 minutes on the pitch. It remains to be seen how the defenses will adapt in the coming weeks.
CQFR: Harden-Embiid it regales, the Lakers adrift
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