Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts in the NBA game against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 20, 2020. /VCG
Brooklyn Nets 104-112 Philadelphia 76ers
In their first game after the NBA All-Star Weekend, the 76ers extended their winning streak to four by beating the Nets at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday. However, it was not an easy win: it took a last-second game-saving block by Joel Embiid and overtime for the 76ers to get home.
The absence of Ben Simmons cost them their main orchestrator but also gave Embiid the space and ball possession he has always wanted. On the other side of the court, neither DeAndre Jordan nor Jarrett Allen was able to stop Embiid from having his own way in offense, especially under the rim.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks in the game against the Brooklyn Nets in the game at the Weels Fargo Center, February 20, 2020. /VCG
As a result, Embiid was 10-20 to drop a game-high 39 points and 16 rebounds. He also delivered two steals and two blocks in defense.
Nonetheless, Philadelphia only achieved a close win by overcoming a 20-point trail (50-30). Without Simmons patrolling the defense, the team could only stick to the choice of Embiid remaining in the paint. Brooklyn, as one of the best screen-play teams in the league, have enough ways of punishing Embiid for not being able to reach the 3-point line.
In offense, as unstoppable as Embiid was, tussling under the rim could never produce points as fast as fast break or dishing for 3-pointers, both of which happened to be what Simmons excels in.
Joel Embiid (L) of the Philadelphia 76ers and DeAndre Jordan of the Brooklyn Nets tussle with each other at the Wells Fargo Center, February 20, 2020. /VCG
However, Philadelphia still won, thanks to the efforts by Embiid. Not only did he score 39 points, he got 18 of them via 18 free throws – the fouls he drew damaged Brooklyn's defense slowly but lethally.
Here let's talk a little bit more about the difference in offensive influence between Simmons and Embiid. Despite his lack of shooting range, Simmons can make his teammates better in offense with his great passing ability alone, not to mention that he is an incredible fast break choice himself.
Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Wells Fargo Center, February 11, 2020. /VCG
That's why when Simmons is in charge, Philadelphia's offense goes more smoothly and often leads to blowout wins.
By contrast, when Embiid is in charge of Philadelphia's offense, the team will slow down because it takes time for the seven-footer to battle for the best position. Neither can he drag the 127-kilogram body of his to sprint for transitional offense.
As a result, Philadelphia will seem "less" dominant when they rely more on Embiid. Sometimes they only edge over the opponents, like on Thursday.
Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots against the Brooklyn Nets at the Wells Fargo Center, February 20, 2020. /VCG
Simmons's style works better in the regular season as he can help the team put up more dunks, which is more enjoyable for fans. A game made up of more fast break is also less physical and thus easier for players.
However, such a style will cease to work in the playoffs when everyone has to buckle down and make the opponents struggle to get even one goal. That's when Embiid is needed because he can use his remarkable individual skills to help the team and his teammates are all counting on that.
Miami Heat 124-129 Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks reacts in the game against the Miami Heat at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, February 20, 2020. /VCG
Jimmy Butler came back for the Heat to put down 17 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Bam Adebayo who just played his first All-Star Game had a big double-double of 28 points and 19 rebounds plus seven assists.
Nonetheless, the Heat, who rank fourth in the East lost the Hawks, the 14th of the conference.
The State Farm Arena owed this victory to their second-year point guard who started in last Sunday's All-Star Game – Trae Young who claimed a career-high 50 points.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks shoots the ball in the game against the Miami Heat at the State Farm Arena, February 20, 2020. /VCG
Having gone 12-25 in field goals, Young drained eight triples and made 18 free throws. He made all his 3-pointers beyond 25 feet, not to mention that three of them happened at 30 feet.
"He's shooting 50-footers. At the end of the day you've got to live with that," said Adebayo.
"He just got into such an incredible rhythm. He's pulling up from six feet behind the line...There's not a lot of things you can do about that," said Erik Spoelstra, head coach of the Heat.
"A big game from our leader. We got some big plays from our big-time guy," said Young's teammate John Collins.
Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks seeks to pass teammate to pass the ball in the game against the Miami Heat at the State Farm Arena, February 20, 2020. /VCG
When asked if he got more confidence from being voted as an All-Star starter, Young said: "I've always had confidence in myself…It felt great. That's the main reason that we play, we play to win. For me to be able to have a good night like tonight and to also win, that's the best part."
Other results on Thursday (home teams in bold):
Milwaukee Bucks 126-106 Detroit Pistons
Charlotte Hornets 103-93 Chicago Bulls
Memphis Grizzlies 125-129 Sacramento Kings
Houston Rockets 135-105 Golden State Warriors