Joel Embiid Uses Tactic From a Former MVP to Help Boost His Own Case for the Award



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For six minutes Friday night, Joel Embiid resembled the MVP.

He was living at the free-throw line like James Harden.

Kemba Walker gave us a fourth-quarter performance for the Hornets back from a 21-point deficit, which was over 133-132 in overtime.

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In the fourth, Walker went nuclear charging with Embiid on the bench. He had 19 points in the quarter after having just eight in the first three quarters. He gave the Hornets a late 119-117 lead with a drive at least 30 seconds remaining in the period.

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Despite the heroics of the two-time All-Star in purple, the night belonged to the Sixers' All-Star. The team is undefeated in Philadelphia (7-0), in large part because of its drawing and free-throw shooting (19-for-22 on the night, 80.9% on the season entering Friday).

During the second half of the fourth quarter, Embiid went 11-for-12 from the line while the Sixers was unable to get a field goal for a bulk of that stretch. The lone bucket from Philadelphia during the last seven minutes and 20 seconds of the fourth was a triple embouchy that would turn the staunchest Sam Hinkie hater into the most enthusiastic supporter of his trash-talking crown jewel.

Embiid also had 14 of Philadelphia's final 15 points in the fourth.

A pair of free throws from the beginning after getting into the final points before overtime. Those two foul shots also capped off a 16-point quarter from the third-year sensation from Cameroon by way of Kansas.

He finished the night with 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks.

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He scored the Sixers' 133rd point from the line with six seconds left in overtime to make sure a late three-pointer from the Hornets did not change the outcome.

It felt unfair at times. No matter what Cody Zeller did, he feels Embiid to the line. His sixth step was the one that sent him back to the end of regulation.

And when it came time to hit a shot, I did not have a problem in Kemba's eye in clutch time.

Embiid said he wanted to be the MVP this season. Makes sense that he would take some pointers from the last guy who won it.

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