Harden is back at the top
James Harden, 32, made his fourth career stop with Embiid, the no. 1 center in the East. Although he only played 3 games, Harden played an extraordinary personal performance, averaging 27.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game, shooting 59% from the field and 50% from three-point range, and it seems that no one can stop him. Indeed, with a super center like Embiid attracting defense, Harden's offensive ability is enough for him to play such an efficient performance.
After Harden arrived, the 76ers also won a four-game winning streak, improving their record to second place in the East. However, in this game, the 76ers have to face the Cleveland Cavaliers, although they have suffered two consecutive losses, but the average loss of points per game in the league is the first, the defensive efficiency of the league is the fourth, such a defensive team, can limit Harden Embiid's offense?
76 completed the reversal
Instead of limiting Harden Embiid's offense, the Cavaliers chose another way, which was to use the attack to crush the opponent. At the beginning of the first quarter, the Cavaliers played a fantastic offense, O'Corro broke through consecutively, scoring 13 points and 2 assists on 5-of-5 shooting, and Allen also had 8 points and 3 rebounds on the inside line, and all of the goals of the two were in the box. Lefour on the bench hit 3 three-pointers in a row and had 9 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. The Cavaliers blasted 43 points in a single quarter to take a direct 13-point lead.
But that was just the beginning, and after returning from the second quarter, the Cavaliers extended their lead to 18 points at one point. Everyone thought the 76ers' winning streak was coming to an end, but they played two small waves in a row, successfully narrowing the point gap to eight points at the end of the half. In the second half, Maxie broke out again, 14 points and 1 assist on 4-of-5 shooting, Harden also had 8 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists, and the 76ers once overtook the score, but Garland hit three points, Mobley made two free throws, and the Cavaliers still entered the final quarter with a 2-point lead.
In the final quarter of the game, Maxi scored 8 consecutive points to help the 76ers complete the rebound, and although the Cavaliers did not give up, Harden and Embiid always responded with their personal ability and blocking cooperation. Harden had nine points, one rebound and two assists in the final quarter, Embiid had four points, three rebounds and two assists, and the 76ers finally reversed the Cavaliers 125-119 to win five straight.
The biggest winner is not Maxi
In this game, 76ers young guard Maxi, 10-of-15 shooting, 5-of-6 three-point shooting, had 33 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 1 block, 25 points, 3 rebounds and 11 assists to beat Harden, and Embiid Evil's 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. After Harden joined, Maxi averaged 26.8 points per game, shooting 64.9 percent from the field, shooting 70 percent from three-point range, and averaging five three-pointers per game. These data are telling us that Maxi is undoubtedly the biggest winner after harden's trade, but it is not the case.
In this game, the 76ers completed a 21-point reversal, the last game against the Knicks, it was a 16-point reversal, and two consecutive games completed at least 15-point reversals, which have not happened in the history of the 76ers for nearly 25 years. Especially for head coach Rivers, it is a thing that dare not be thought of. Why? Before Harden arrived, Rivers had a nickname called Human Reversed Essence, and the team he coached would always be reversed by the opponent, but now, feng shui took turns, and after getting Harden, it was his turn to reverse others. Seeing this, you must be clear, who is the biggest winner of Harden's trade!