Joel Embiid Stats: How Well Has the NBA MVP Competed Against Eastern Conference Rivals Raptors Over the Years?

The NBA regular season kicked off with a bang on October 24th. Everyone’s eyes were fixated on the current champions, the Denver Nuggets and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers have been the center of attraction for the entirety of the offseason owing to their trade activities and the James Harden situation. Their next game is against the Toronto Raptors and Joel Embiid has to step his game up.

The reigning MVP has faced heavy criticism within the past few months because of his performances. However, the Raptors remain one of his favorite oppositions to play against.

Joel Embiid has great stats against his next opposition

Cameroonian superstar Joel Embiid has spent his basketball career with the Philadelphia 76ers. He entered the 2014 NBA draft as one of the biggest basketball talents in the world. As a result, the Sixers drafted as the 3rd overall pick him.

In his 8 year long NBA career, Embiid has come up against some quality opponents, especially from the Eastern Conference. One of them happens to be the Toronto Raptors. As the Sixers face the Raptors in their second game of the 2023-24 NBA season, Embiid goes into the match as the favorite to come out on top. 

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The 6-time NBA All-Star has faced the Raptors 20 times in his career. He has a decent average of 22.3 rebounds, 10.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. His best game was on February 5th, 2019 when the 2023 MVP scored 37 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 assists while shooting 50% from the field.

Interestingly, Kawhi Leonard and the Raptors handed Joel Embiid his most heartbreaking loss a few months after this monstrous game. The two teams faced each other in the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and the series went to Game 7.

In the dying moments of the game, Leonard hit a long 2-pointer that hit the rim and the world seemingly stopped for a couple of seconds. With everyone on the edge of their seats, the shot went in and the Raptors qualified for the Eastern Conference Finals.

How did Embiid start his season?

The 76ers took on the Milwaukee Bucks in their season opener. Just weeks after Embiid made some fiery comments about the Bucks, he was handed a reality check.

Damian Lillard had a monstrous debut as he put up 39 points which helped the Bucks beat the 76ers 118-117. On the other hand, Joel Embiid had 24 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds. 

What are your predictions for Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers? Let us know in the comments below.

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