Cleveland – Joel MBD had 44 points and 17 rebounds, James Harden recorded his second triple-double with Philadelphia and the 76ers locked up a play-off spot with an 112-108 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.
Embed was suspicious of coming into the game with pain in his ankle. But not just the 7-footer, Embed dominated the stretch down, scoring 12 points in a key sequence in the fourth quarter.
He also made 17 free throws out of 20, adding five blocks and three assists in 38 minutes by another MVP resume maker. Embed also made three 3-pointers.
Harden had an off-shooting night (4 of 13), but finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
Darius Garland scored 23 and Caris Levert and Lamar Stevens Cavs 18, all without injured 7-footers Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.
Cleveland, which is trying to hang on to the No. 7 play-in spot, was 109-106 after Harden made two free throws with 11.2 seconds left.
But Kevin Love made a careless inbound pass that was stolen by Mattis Thaibul, who then passed to Strick Tobias Harris from the sitting position for a game-ceiling dunk with 7.2 seconds left.
The offense was nothing short of offensive for the Sixers, who scored 21 3-pointers and a season-high 144 points in Saturday’s win over Charlotte. But the kind of performance that was expected from All-Star, MBID gave bail to his teammates.
Tip-INS
76ers: Attempted 42 free throws. … F. Paul Millsup, a 15-year veteran, has played just eight minutes in the last five games. Millsup has appeared in just four games since Jordan signed Dandre on 3 March. … Philadelphia has played three of its final four regular-season games on the street. … Coach Doc Reverse Caves guard highly praised Rajan Rondo, who played for him in Boston. “I’ve been seen as the brightest player,” Rivers said. “He put us (the coach) on our toes.”
Cavaliers: Rondo (ankle) played for the first time since March 12. … Allen missed his 15th game and Mobyley finished fourth in a row. Coach JB Bickerstaff said both were improving, but did not say when or when he would return before the end of the regular season in a week. … one of the top three players in the NBA in both Garland Assist and Minute. Harden and Luka Donsick of Dallas, among others. … Love played a team-high 71 matches, 66 benches off.
EM (BIID) – VP Talk
Among a group of reverse eligible candidates, MVP is campaigning for MBD to win the honor this season. For the Sixers coach, Embed’s passing, defense and leadership were ignored as part of his good play.
“I know he’s my guy, obviously,” Rivers said. “He’s just done a lot.”
Rivers credits Embed with pulling the Sixers through the “Ben Simmons Saga”.
“He was our second-best player at the time and was out, and when we traded at the All-Star break, we were a game from first place in the East,” Rivers said. “There’s a lot to be said about this.”
Coming next
76ers: Play in Indiana on Tuesday.
Horsemen: Go to Orlando on Tuesday.