Other 76ers stars helped set up Joel Embiid’s Game 3 turnaround three-pointer in OT
TORONTO – Joel Embiid hit the shot that will likely be remembered from Philadelphia’s 104-101 extra time victory over Toronto on Wednesday. His teammates did effectively to set him up for the turnaround three-pointer that gave the 76ers a 3-0 lead within the first-round playoff collection.
Tobias Harris nailed Toronto’s Valuable Achiuwa with a display, Danny Inexperienced discovered Embiid with the inbound move as he emerged from the pack and the Sixers large man drilled a game-winner with 0.8 seconds to play.
Embiid stated the display was as large because the shot.
“He bought me so vast open,” Embiid stated. “He’s the explanation why I made the shot.”
It wasn’t simply within the Sixers’ remaining offensive possession that Harris confirmed his value on Wednesday. He was a defensive pressure all through the sport and helped shut down Raptors star Pascal Siakam.
“Tobias Harris tonight was unbelievable,” stated 76ers head coach Doc Rivers. “(He was) all around the flooring defensively, he did so many little issues, he set the final choose of the sport, he was incredible.”
Over the course of this collection, Embiid has grabbed a lot of the eye, and for good cause. He’s an MVP finalist this season and had 33 factors in Recreation 3, together with 23 within the second half alone.
Siakam had 12 factors over the primary 24 minutes however Harris helped maintain him off the scoreboard within the second half and extra time.
“We make changes on attempting to protect (Siakam),” stated Rivers. “The man is a load and he’s a hell of a basketball participant, however to place one man one him — mainly we ask (Harris) to match his minutes — is asking rather a lot.
“And to have the vitality on the finish of the sport to nonetheless guard is incredible.”
Philadelphia trailed by 17 at one level within the first half however reduce the deficit to 10 factors coming into the third quarter. Guards James Harden and Tyrese Maxey, who each completed with 19 factors, helped the Sixers keep inside attain.
Harden fouled out with 49.7 seconds left to play within the fourth quarter however Maxey delivered 4 large factors in extra time.
“Thank the Lord that we performed with out James for nevertheless many video games earlier than he bought right here,” stated Maxey, referring to the trade-deadline transfer that introduced Harden to Philadelphia. “All people knew what to do, knew what to run and everyone knew the place they wanted to be.”
Although solely 21, Maxey was unafraid of the second when his time got here, like the entire 76ers stars on Wednesday.
“Nice play name, Tobias set an incredible display, Danny made a terrific move, so all I needed to do with it was to complete it,” Embiid stated of his game-winner. “And I’m glad I did.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed April 20, 2022.
