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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers are advancing to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. After dropping two games, the Sixers came out today firing and took care of business. They will now face the Miami Heat for a chance to go to the Eastern Conference Finals. James Harden and Embiid delivered big in this game and Joel even answered some abusive chants from the Toronto crowd.

Embiid put on a show with 33 points and 10 rebounds while Harden ended with 22 points and 15 assists. The game was close until the halfway mark as the Sixers only had a one-point lead. But as soon as the second half started, the Sixers switched gears and built a 21-point lead by the end of the third. They didn’t let up as they won by 35 points in the end. And Embiid who had 17 points in the second half, was not shy in talking back to the fans. Earlier in the game, he was greeted with a “F**k Embiid” chant, to which he responded in his typical style.

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Joel Embiid talks back at Raptors fans as James Harden finally steps up

The Sixers showed no signs of slowing down, and they kept on building the lead. At one point it was up to 26, and the Raptors called a timeout. Embiid, who was balling out, was surprised that he couldn’t hear any chants directed at him. While on his way to the bench, he threw some shade at the fans. He looked at them and said, “I ain’t hearing sh-t?.?

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Harden had arguably his best game of the series. After a few underwhelming performances, the onus was on Harden to deliver. He has looked like himself and has struggled to score consistently. His co-star, Embiid, had asked Harden to be more aggressive. And Harden did exactly that. Even though he didn’t take a lot of shots, he was highly efficient from the field. And his distribution was on point as he racked up assist after assist. The Sixers will hope that they will see more of this Harden in the next round of the playoffs.

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And they will need their stars at their best as they face a formidable Miami Heat team in the next round. The Heat advanced after winning 4-1 against the Hawks and they put on a defensive clinic in that series. This series will surely be a physical and grueling one as both teams battle it out for a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

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