Toronto Raptors - page 13

Embiid scored 33 points, 10 rebounds to lead the 76ers to a 21 point win against the Toronto Raptors.

The Philadelphia 76ers have now taken a 2-1 lead in their semifinals matchup against the Raptors and the 76ers coach believe they have the best player in the series in Embiid despite Kawhi Leonard scoring an average of 37.7 points in the series.

The intensity, defense of Embiid have helped his team win both ends of the floor, adding 5 blocks and 3 assists in his monster game.

Embiid found a way to adjust against former Defensive player of the year Marc Gasol who has limited him in their first two games. The younger player was able to find rhythm in game 3 and possible the whole series with 70% of the teams winning Game 3 goes on to win.

Embiid was asked if Marc Gasol has bothered him early on, “I’m not really focused on him, Great player, have a lot of respect for him, but it’s a team game. The 76ers star adds, “If I’m open, my teammates are going to find me, and if they’re open, I’m going to find them. So I’m not really worried about them. I’m more worried about my team. You know, how we coexist on the court, how we play together.”

The Sixers at one point led by as much as 26 points and have never trailed the entire game.

According to the coach of the Sixers, Brown, the biggest factor that Embiid brought was his defense — “I mean, for me it goes straight to the blocks, You know, we can talk about a windmill dunk. You can talk about some finesse post moves and that, but I go to defense. That’s what interests me the most to date with this series. … My mind goes straight there. He is our crown jewel defensively, and I suppose offensively too. But certainly defensively. And his rim protection and blocking-shot ability tonight stood out as much to me as anything in an incredible performance.”