Philadelphia 76ers superstar Joel Embiid believes he’s deservedly the MVP this season. His chances surely took a considerable boost with his game vs Cleveland on Sunday.
Embiid went for 44 points to bail the Philadelphia 76ers out from a painful loss to the injury-plagued Cleveland Cavaliers. The superstar big had his 11th game of the season with more than 40 points and 10 rebounds in a game.
According to ESPN Stats and Info, only Russell Westbrook (12) and Moses Malone (12) have had more in a single season since the 1976-77 merger. Both players won MVPs in those seasons.
Embiid has certainly a stronger case for this year after falling behind Nikola Jokic last season in the MVP voting. Embiid missed several games due to injury last season, but, this year he’s healthy playing a career-high 65 games with four contests remaining.
”If it happens, great,” Embiid said of winning his first MVP, via NBA.com. ”If it doesn’t, I don’t know what I have to do. I’ll feel like they hate me. I feel like the standard for guys in Philly or for me is different than everyone else.”
Embiid dominated through the crucial fourth quarter with 12 points. He also made 17 free throws, added five blocks, made three 3-pointers and had three assists in 38 minutes of another great performance.
Embiid saw his co-superstar James Harden putting up a good performance with 23 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to help Philly clinch its playoff spot. Harden praised his teammate after Sunday’s victory.
‘I get to witness his greatness every night,” Harden said. ”Obviously, his offensive numbers tonight are self-explanatory. Defensively, he was very active blocking shots, changing shots and clogging the paint up was key.”
Embiid has four more games to boost his case as Nikola Jokic also added another great performance on Sunday with 38 points, 18 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals. Jokic had the lead in the latest MVP ranking as we’re heading to the last week of the regular season.
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