Joel Embiid reacts to latest scoring milestone after Sixers beat Cavs
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PHILADELPHIA–Philadelphia 76ers star big man Joel Embiid has been having one helluva season as he continues to put up monster scoring nights whenever the Sixers need him to do so.
On Wednesday, the big fella had 29 points as the Sixers held off the Cleveland Cavaliers at home 118-112. Philadelphia led by as many as 28 and the Cavs cut it to just four points in the fourth, but Philadelphia was able to escape as Embiid took over down the stretch.
In the process, Embiid crossed 10,000 points in his career. He became the fastest Sixer to do so as he did it in 373 games. The previous fastest was Allen Iverson who did so in 378 games.
“I can only think what if I didn’t miss all these games?” said Embiid. “I guess it’s a good thing, but that’s not where the focus is. I just focus about what I can do to help the team and if it’s scoring a lot, passing defensively, then I’m going to do it.”
The impressive part of Embiid’s scoring rampage is the fact that he is a big man. He doesn’t start possessions with the basketball. He has to fight down low and get position and then hope his teammates can find him with pinpoint passes in order to get him going.
“That’s impressive,” coach Doc Rivers said of the accomplishment. “Wilt Chamberlain didn’t play long enough here? Obviously? Golly because every record is Wilt Chamberlain’s record, but that’s impressive. Especially, at the position that he’s playing at because he needs the ball given to him for him to score. Guards have the ball. They can score whenever they want to so that just tells you how dominant Joel has been.”
The Sixers will now head into the All-Star break at 38-19 and will then look to build off what they have accomplished thus far with Embiid leading the way.
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