Joel Embiid openly BLAMES TEAMMATES for series-tying loss to Celtics in Game 6

Embiid frustrated by Sixers’ offense in Game 6

Joel Embiid openly BLAMES TEAMMATES for series-tying loss to Celtics in Game 6

Philadelphia Sixers' Joel Embiid (Via House of Highlights/YouTube)

The Philadelphia 76ers and Joel Embiid had a golden opportunity to close out their second-round series against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night at home, but they let it slip away. The Celtics took over the Sixers and the game in the fourth quarter, winning 95-86 and forcing a Game 7 on Saturday.

The Sixers’ offense was stagnant and inefficient in the final period, scoring only 13 points. Their star center Embiid, who had 26 points and 10 rebounds, was visibly frustrated by his team’s lack of ball movement and his own lack of touches. Embiid only took six shots in the second half and none in the last four minutes of the game.

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“I think it was three things. We had a lot of wide open shots, we didn’t make them. We stopped moving the ball. I don’t think I touched the ball the last four minutes of the game… I didn’t touch the ball at all,” Embiid said postgame.

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Embiid watched helplessly as the Celtics made big plays down the stretch, led by Marcus Smart’s 22 points, seven assists and Jayson Tatum’s 19 points, 16 out of which came in the fourth quarter. The Sixers’ defense also struggled to contain the Celtics’ shooters, who made 42.3 percent of their field goals and 42.9 percent of their threes.

Also Read: Jayson Tatum gets CLOWNED for calling himself ‘ONE OF THE BEST’ basketball players after 5-21 shooting performance vs. 76ers

Joel Embiid and team face elimination in Boston

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Joel Embiid (Right) defending Jayson Tatum (Left) (Via Sports Talk Line)

The Sixers now have to regroup and win on the road in Boston to advance to the conference finals. The Sixers have won two games at TD Garden in this series, but they know it won’t be easy to do it again against a determined Celtics team that has shown grit and resilience.

Sixers will have to make some changes on both ends of the court if they want to survive and advance. They will also need to tighten up their defense, which gave up too many easy baskets and open threes to the Celtics in the fourth quarter.

But most importantly, they will need to get Embiid more involved in their offense and make sure he gets enough shots and opportunities in crunch time. Embiid, who recently got crowned as the NBA MVP for this season, is their best player and their most dominant presence in the paint. He averaged 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in the regular season and has been a problem for the Celtics’ defense in this series.

If the Sixers want to win Game 7 and keep their title dreams alive, they will have to feed Embiid and let him carry them to victory. Otherwise, they will have to face a disappointing playoff exit.

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