The Raptors flustered Joel Embiid into a lot of uncomfortable situations early. Situations like the off-balance turnaround 3-pointer Embiid had to take in the final second of overtime.
But Embiid nailed that one, giving the 76ers a 104-101 win over Toronto in Game 3 of their first-round series Wednesday. With Embiid posting 33 points and 13 rebounds and hitting the game-winner, Philadelphia has taken a 3-0 series lead.
Every team to take a 3-0 lead in a best-of-seven series has won the series – usually by sweep. The 76ers will look to finish off the Raptors in Game 4 Saturday in Toronto.
Embiid’s big bucket capped one heck of a turnaround for the MVP finalist:
- First half: five points in 18 minutes, 2-of-5 shooting, four turnovers
- Second half and overtime: 28 points in 26 minutes, 10-of-15 shooting