PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – MARCH 03: Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after scoring during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at Wells Fargo Center on March 03, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid nailed a clutch 3-pointer to send Wednesday’s Philadelphia 76ers-Utah Jazz game into overtime.
Wednesday night featured a battle between the two top teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences in the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz. In what could very-well be an NBA Finals matchup this year, the contest did not disappoint. So, it is only fitting that it is going into overtime thanks to the clutch play of star center and MVP favorite Joel Embiid.
With the Jazz holding a 108-105 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining in regulation, Embiid found himself one-on-one with forward Bojan Bogdanovic. Sensing the clock was about to hit zero, Embiid dribbled the ball to the 3-point line and unleashed a shot over Bogdanovic and hit nothing but net.
76ers prevail in overtime
Embiid’s 3-pointer gave the 76ers all the momentum, as they emerged from the Wells Fargo Center with the 131-123 victory. Embiid might have sent them to overtime, but Tobias Harris thrived in the extra time. Harris scored 11 of Philadelphia’s 13 points to give them the huge win over the Jazz, who have the best record in the NBA.
In 40 minutes of playing time, Embiid notched a double-double with 40 points (14-of-27 shooting from the field, 2-for-5 from 3-point range and 10-of-13 from the free-throw line) and 19 rebounds. Harris posted a double-double of his own with 22 points (9-of-18 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from the foul line).
As for the Jazz, guard Donovan Mitchell put up an inefficient 33 points (12-of-34 shooting from the field), 8 rebounds and 6 assists before being ejected in the game’s final minute.
The 76ers now enter the All-Star break with a huge win added to their record. The Jazz will look to rebound after the break to bring an end their two-game losing streak.