Joel Embiid attempted to extend the Sixers’ advantage over the Pistons in order to boost Philadelphia’s point difference in the In-Season Tournament standings.
The Philadelphia 76ers won their sixth straight game against the Detroit Pistons in a gritty, initially sloppy battle. Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey led the Sixers back from a 16-point hole in the second half. Following the game, Embiid stated that he and his opponents may engage in extracurricular activities.
The Sixers and Pistons were both making their NBA In-Season Tournament debuts. This was one of four Group Play games that used point differential as a tiebreaker. As a result, it makes sense for teams to rack up as many points as possible. That’s what Embiid was attempting to do with Philadelphia leading by eight points in the final seconds of the game. He struck the shot, but it was too late.
According to Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire, Embiid stated after the game that the Pistons followed him and attempted to confront him about the shot.
“The only thing I noticed was people trying to fight me because they don’t know the rules,” he claimed. “When it comes to the competition, points are important. I wish the shot had counted, and I had no idea they were trying to attack me. So I wish I had seen it, but everything counts. It’s exciting to compete for another position on the team. We’ll go wherever that takes us.”
According to Carlin, Embiid was informed that both Pistons players and coaches were dissatisfied with his last-second shot. It’s unclear how much Detroit wanted to fight – whether they just wanted to bicker with Embiid or were ready to get physical. It’s not a stretch to imagine Isaiah Stewart being dissatisfied with Embiid’s status as a front-runner in his team’s eyes. However, with concrete consequences hanging on the margin of victory, the shot made sense.
In the end, the Sixers won their seventh consecutive game and got off to a solid start in Group Play.
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