In Wednesday’s Play-In game, Joel Embiid struggled against the Miami Heat, with the Sixers offense looking disorganized and ineffective for the first three quarters. The Heat’s zone defense caused problems for the Sixers, especially for Embiid, who seemed unable to get going and create scoring opportunities.
Embiid appeared fatigued and unprepared for the intensity of postseason basketball, raising concerns about his ability to dominate in the playoffs. However, in the fourth quarter, he was able to rally and lead the Sixers to victory, scoring 11 of his 23 points in the final period.
Despite his late-game heroics, Embiid’s performance earlier in the game sparked doubts about his playoff readiness. With a few days of rest before facing the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, Embiid will have the opportunity to regroup and prepare for a different defensive challenge.
The Knicks’ defense presents a new set of challenges that may allow Embiid to showcase his skills and dominate from his preferred positions on the court. As one of the league’s top players, Embiid will need to prove himself in the playoffs and silence any skeptics who question his ability to lead the Sixers to success. The upcoming series against the Knicks will be a crucial test for Embiid to solidify his status as a top player in the league.
“Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on.”