Posted on April 21, 2019, by Travis Pulver
The Philadelphia 76ers did not have the services of Joel Embiid in Game Three but still came away with a convincing 16-point win. So, with him back in the lineup Saturday night, it should have been even easier to secure the win—right?
But it wasn’t.
A competitive first quarter ended with the Nets pulling ahead in the final minutes and taking a nine-point lead heading into the second quarter, 33-24. But Philadelphia managed to tie the game up at 38-38 a few minutes into the quarter.
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However, the Nets were able to pull back in front, 63-57, before the half came to an end.
A tough game turned a little too rough early in the third quarter after Joel Embiid appeared to foul Jarrett Allen hard enough to knock him down. Jared Dudley took exception to Embiid’s foul and charged after the 76ers center.
In the ensuing scuffle, Embiid can be seen raising his hands and backing away while several members from both teams tussled. Dudley and Ben Simmons ended up crashing into some courtside seats before it was all over.
As a result, Embiid was assessed a flagrant foul 1 for his part in the mess; Dudley and Jimmy Butler (who swung an elbow at Dudley) were ejected.
After the game, Embiid referred to Dudley as a ‘nobody’ and then talked about why he didn’t get involved with the fracas, via ESPN:
“I’m too valuable for my team. That’s why I didn’t react. I did not do anything, and I did not think that was a flagrant foul because I played the ball, too. But in that type of situation, I just got to stay composed and be mature.”
After Allen made both free throws, the Nets led 69-61. As the quarter came to a close, the Nets led by six, 91-85. Brooklyn remained in front for much of the fourth until Joel Embiid put the 76ers in front, 102-101, with 2:54 remaining.
The game remained close down to the final seconds. Joe Harris put the Nets in front, 108-107, with 25 seconds left. Philadelphia tried to get Embiid the ball down low on the next possession, but the Nets knocked the pass away.
However, Embiid was able to get control of the ball and pass it to a wide-open Mike Scott in the corner—for a go-ahead three.
Tobias Harris tacked on a pair of free throws moments later to close out the scoring and make the final score, 112-108, for the 76ers.
Embiid definitely made his presence felt with 31 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists, and six blocks. Harris had 24 on the night and Ben Simmons chipped in 15 points. Caris LeVert led the way for the Nets with 25 points followed by D’Angelo Russell and Jarrett Allen with 21 points each.
Brooklyn will have a couple of nights to think about how to right the ship Te before they face the 76ers again. Game Five will be back in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.