Joel Embiid’s return to the playoffs put the Philadelphia 76ers back in their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Miami Heat.
Playing for the first time since suffering a facial fracture and concussion in the decisive Game 6 against Toronto in the first round, Embiid provided the momentum needed to help the Sixers defeat Miami 99-79 on Friday.
Embiid had 18 points and 11 rebounds in 36 minutes. James Harden scored 17 points and Danny Green had 21 big points, all on 3-pointers. Tyrese Maxey added 21 points as the Sixers starters outscored the Heat starters 86-55.
Game 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia (8 pm ET, TNT), with the Sixers in position to send the series back to Miami tied 2-2.
These are the key points of Game 3:
The important return of Embiid
Embiid started the day he was listed out on the official NBA injury report and had not cleared concussion protocols. By mid-morning, he had cleared them out and participated in team morning, and at 12:30 pm ET, Embiid was upgraded to doubtful. After going through pregame workouts, Embiid was ruled out.
He had a solid game considering the circumstances, not bad for a guy coming off a head and face injury and a torn ligament in his right (shooting) thumb.
Playing in a face mask, Embiid was 5-for-12 shooting. The Sixers are clearly better with a limited Embiid than without any Embiid. For the first time in the series, the Sixers outrebounded Miami, thanks to Embiid and Tobias Harris (10 rebounds).
The offense was Miami’s problem
With 4:24 remaining in the fourth quarter, only one Heat starter had double figures in points: Jimmy Butler, who finished with 33 points and nine rebounds. He couldn’t save the day by himself.
The Heat shot 35.1% from the field and 23.3% from 3-point range.
Give Philadelphia’s defense credit.
Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, who were productive in the first two games in Miami, struggled. Herro had added 14 points on 5-for-15 shooting, and Adebayo had nine points and three rebounds after averaging 23.5 points and 10.5 rebounds in the first two games.
Harden contributes the fair
Harden made just 4 of 11 shots from the field, including 1 of 7 on 3-pointers. He had eight rebounds and six assists. But he had a better first step, was able to drive to the basket, score a bit in the paint and get to the free throw line, shooting 8 of 8 from the free throw line.
Still, the Sixers need more of him if they want to increase their chances of winning the series.
The very important 3 ball
Crazy old men like veteran sportswriter Bob Ryan may lament how the 3-point shot ruined the game. It’s not going away, and it continues to have an impact on who wins.
Green’s 9-for-7 shooting from 3-point range helped the Sixers take a 68-65 lead after three quarters.
The Sixers shot 48.5% on 3-pointers, going 16-for-33, while the Heat made only seven 3-pointers, a difference of 27 points.
Lowry’s return
Miami guard Kyle Lowry (left hamstring strain) also made his series debut after missing the last two games of the first round against Atlanta and the first two games of this series.
He didn’t score, missed all four of his shots and had four rebounds and three assists.
Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.
Reference-www.usatoday.com