Joel Embiid continues to struggle with Boston’s frontcourt
Even without Robert Williams in the lineup for the Boston Celtics, it took Joel Embiid longer than expected to solve the defense. Al Horford continued to give him fits and by the time Embiid got going, it was too little too late.
Embiid finished with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and five assists. On paper, it may seem as if he had a great game. But the stat sheet doesn’t tell the entire story. Embiid was scoreless in the first quarter and only have seven points at halftime. Through three quarters, he had 13 points.
It’s not encouraging that a matchup that Embiid is supposed to dominate, it simply was a grind. It’s discouraging because if the Sixers are going to make a deep run in the postseason, they’re likely going to eventually have to go through the Celtics. And in order to successfully do so, they’re going to need Embiid to feast in the frontcourt.
He couldn’t with Boston’s best interior defender out with an injury.
It’s something to keep an eye on as this team meets again. At least on opening night, Embiid proved once again that the Celtics have his number.