The Philadelphia 76ers are up 3-2 against the Boston Celtics after stealing one on the road Tuesday night. A 33-point performance by Joel Embiid to go along with Tyrese Maxey’s 30, and James Harden’s 17/10, proved enough for a 115-103 win. However, Skip Bayless believes this performance by the 2023 MVP wouldn’t be enough for Game 6.
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This was the 7-footer’s 3rd consecutive 30-point performance with his team down against the #2 seed of the East, whom the Sixers have struggled to get a win against in the regular season as well, coming away victorious from just 1 of their 4 contests in 2022-23.
It was a crucial win and perhaps one which defines this series. But it would be foolish to count the Celtics just yet. And the 71-year-old analyst is apparently well aware of it.
Skip Bayless is expecting more from Joel Embiid in Game 6
After the Game 5 win of the Sixers in TD Garden, Fox Sports’ veteran analyst, Skip Bayless, praised Embiid for playing like the MVP that he is, but laid out expectations of doing even better in the next game.
“Tonight Joel Embiid played like the MVP he is: 33 points, 3 threes, and 4 blocks that demoralized the Celtics. He’ll have to be even better Thursday night [Game 6],” Bayless wrote in a tweet after the Sixers’ dominant win.
Tonight Joel Embiid played like the MVP he is: 33 points, 3 threes, 4 blocks that demoralized the Celtics. He’ll have to be even better Thursday night.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) May 10, 2023
33 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 humongous blocks while playing through a knee injury. Even still, if somebody is expecting more from you, you’re HIM. Joel has to be. He cannot be anything short of his best because The Beard might not show up on Thursday at all.
James Harden’s scary tendency in Playoff closeouts
Averaging around 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 7 assists through his 14-year career, the 10x All-Star’s last 10 regular seasons have been exceptional.
Harden has had at least 5 regular seasons where he averaged over 29 points and 7 assists and the other five with over 21 points and 10 assists. His ability to score and create is otherworldly during the regular season.
However, during the Playoffs, it dips in an unbelievable fashion. Especially in the closeout games. The man’s average takes a dive across the board. According to StatMuse, in 26 such games, he has averaged 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists shooting under 42% from the field and 32% from the 3-point line.
He showed in Game 2 that it hasn’t gone away. So, expecting that type of poor game from Harden, Embiid must explode for a career-Playoff game in Philly if he really hopes to win against the Celtics, even if it’s in their own home arena. This is the #2 seed after all.
