Doc Rivers, Joel Embiid react to big performance in win over Raptors

The Philadelphia 76ers were in the middle of another tough performance as they found themselves down by double digits early and often on Tuesday night. Somehow, in some way, they rallied to win it and knock off the Toronto Raptors 100-93 at home.

They did so thanks to the heroics of Joel Embiid who returned after a one-game absence and he had himself a terrific night. He had 29 points and 15 rebounds in the win and he lifted the team on his back late to make sure they got the win.

“He was terrific, dominant,” said coach Doc Rivers. “I thought he made the three best plays down the stretch by passes. He got the ball out of the post, swung it got the ball again, swung it to Seth (Curry) for a 3, and that’s how we have to play.”

Passing out of double teams is obviously a point of emphasis for Embiid as it is something that he will continue to face as his career continues. He is one of the more dominant players in the game so he will face constant double teams and it is on him to be sure he reacts to those in a better way.

“I’m just doing my job, but you got to give a lot of credit,” said Embiid. “Tobias (Harris) came up big, Seth hit a big shot. We, as a team, we all had a great defensive fourth quarter. Offensively, we just moved the ball.”

Embiid took a big step forward in his production out of double teams. The Raptors are one of those teams that will send waves of doubles at him when he doesn’t even get the ball. On top of that, Marc Gasol may not be there anymore, but Aron Baynes is another guy who historically has given him fits.

“I have a love-hate playing against the Raptors, especially the way they play me, they double me, even if I don’t have the ball, and it’s frustrating,” said Embiid with a grin. “I’m not happy about the turnovers but I thought tonight as soon as I got the ball, I kicked it out and we just moved the ball and we miss a lot a lot of wide-open shots.”

This is a game where the Sixers can take that positive in Embiid’s game and build forward with it. The double teams are not going to stop at all and the fact that he was able to fight through it all is something worth watching.

“Joel Embiid is a dominant basketball player and the other teams are going to send people,” Rivers added. “We work on it every day, everyone getting into the right spots. So Joel doesn’t have to think. He can just pass it and he did that tonight.”

The Sixers now move on to hit the road against the Orlando Magic on New Year’s Eve.