Joel Embiid seems to be returning to his MVP form after a frustrating start to the season, as he dealt with a knee injury and a bout with COVID-19 that forced him to the sidelines for 10 of the 76ers’ first 20 games. Embiid added another 30-point performance to his season in Philadelphia’s comfortable 111-91 win over the Houston Rockets.
The Sixers’ superstar went for 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists and helped the 76ers extend their winning streak to seven games and improve to 23-16. They’re now up to fifth place in the Eastern Conference, and within a striking distance of the top-four teams of the Eastern Conference.
Embiid has scored 30-plus points in all seven games of this hot streak, which is not only a personal best, but has placed him on a special list, with Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson, as the only Sixers players to have that many 30-point games in a row.
“Obviously, those are legends. Not just Philly legends, but the whole NBA. I hold myself to that standard of trying to win and be the best or one of the best ever, but the good thing about it is that we’ve been winning”, Embiid told reporters following his record-setting night.
The Cameroonian center earned 17 first quarter points, dominating Christian Wood and Daniel Theis in the paint. The center did whatever he wanted against the Rockets’ ‘small’ frontcourt as head coach Stephen Silas and his team faced two incredible talented centers in consecutive games in the losses to Minnesota and Philadelphia.
Embiid also added another Sixers’ record to his illustrious career. The superstar center surpassed Allen Iverson for the most consecutive 30-point games on the road for the Sixers, as he added his 9th straight 30-plus road-game this season. Embiid and the Sixers return home to face the in-form Charlotte Hornets next.
He will look to keep his overall streak of seven straight games of 30+ points going on Wednesday in front of the Sixers’ fans and against a team that is coming off two huge wins over the reigning champions Milwaukee Bucks.
