Even in his 21st NBA season, LeBron James has not failed to mesmerize. However, the season has now brought an unexpected milestone–his most lopsided loss. Facing off against Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, the Los Angeles Lakers appeared to be a different unit compared to their previous game. The matchup quickly turned into a one-sided affair, resulting in a significant 138-94 defeat. They limited James to 18 points, while Anthony Davis contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds.
The star of the game was undoubtedly Joel Embiid, who delivered 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Joining him was Tyrese Maxey, posting 31 points along with 8 assists.
Nick Nurse praises Joel Embiid for his cohesive offense
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In the wake of one of his standout performances against the Lakers, Joel Embiid earned nothing but praise from Nick Nurse; who had plenty of commendation for his superstar. Beyond acknowledging Embiid’s offensive prowess, Nurse pointed out how the center’s offensive skills naturally opened up opportunities for his teammates to score. He expressed, “We just keep working on all the things we can see with them, sending multiple players to us. And some of it’s taking some time, but we just keep working at it. He’s certainly willing to fire up the guys. He’s doing a pretty good job at that. I think he’s mixing it up pretty good.”
Nick Nurse on Joel Embiid’s playmaking: pic.twitter.com/h77wRwQJBj
— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) November 28, 2023
Nurse praised Embiid’s relentless drive to attack the basket. Furthermore, he also highlighted his unwavering determination to dominate the offensive glass.
Read More – Joel Embiid Receives Nikola Jokic Comparison From Lakers Legend After Dominant Outing
Even before the buzzer sounded for the third quarter, Joel Embiid successfully notched the sixth triple-double of his career.
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Sixers were launching and making buckets from everywhere
The Philadelphia 76ers found the mark on 50% of their field goal attempts; while the Lakers, despite taking 10 fewer shots, managed a 47% success rate. However, the significant point differential stems from the three-point range, where the Lakers struggled; converting only 7 of their 28 attempts from beyond the arc. In contrast, the 76ers not only made more three-pointers but also attempted more (22-46).
Philly seemed to have everything going their way. After a cautious start, they unleashed chaos in the second quarter; draining 13 threes by halftime. Tyrese Maxey showcased his sharpshooting with 4 made threes in the first half alone. On the other hand, Marcus Morris Sr. ignited with a trio of threes (3-3) early in the second quarter. Patrick Beverly entered the game with just 3 made three-pointers in the entire season. As the Lakers challenged him to let it fly, he finished with 4 buckets from beyond the arc; hitting back-to-backs in the second quarter. In contrast, the Lakers struggled heavily beyond the arc. By the half, they managed to convert only 3 of their 10 three-point shots.
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Is this 44-point thrashing a warning to the rest of the league? Can Philly go all the way to championship glory this season?
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