The Sixers took a sledgehammer to the Pistons and never stopped swinging, winning a blowout that wasn't as close as that lopsided scoreline suggests.
Yes, I mean bored, not boring, because the opponent on the floor did not do anything to capture his attention during this game. He got exactly one wake-up call, with Nerlens Noel picking his pocket early in the first quarter, and that was all he needed. From there, it was too damn easy:. This was just about the ideal return game for Embiid, who lit up the scoreboard and never really exerted himself, easing back into the lineup after a few games on the bench.
As they did in the previous meeting against Detroit, the Sixers basically just spammed pick-and-rolls, the difference being that Embiid ended his rolls around the free-throw line. It gave the Sixers a clean look at the basket whenever they wanted it, with Detroit conceding open look after open look to Embiid. I can't say I was enthused by his defensive effort, but I suppose you could argue he just scared the Pistons into missing layups β several Detroit drivers seemed to anticipate he was coming to block a shot, only for Embiid to hold back and watch guys fling wild shots off of the backboard.
At that point, you saw the hopelessness of Detroit trying to guard Embiid, old pal Nerlens Noel simply not up to the task of guarding him in and around the paint.
Embiid got to play a bit of bully ball in the third quarter, and in hilarious fashion, he made it impossible for the team to sub him out of the game, fouled on several consecutive possessions with Montrezl Harrell waiting to replace him for the rest of the night. And good on him for doing so β he was a huge reason the Sixers coasted to a giant lead to end the first half, and he helped them put it totally out of reach in the second half. It had all the hallmarks of a great Harden performance.
