The showdown between Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets again made a point on why James Harden is one of the top candidates for MVP this season. However, the running candidate for MVP also has high praise for the rookie sensation.
Rockets - 76ers Recap
Houston Rockets visited the Philadelphia 76ers last Friday and even with the home court advantage, the 76ers end up with adding a number to their losing record. But it's hard to challenge a team with one of the best players in the league today at his peak. James Harden had a triple double with 51 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists according to ESPN box scores.
The 76ers put a big fight until the 4th quarter. But the Rockets outscore the 76ers by 12 points in the 3rd quarter and Harden contributed 19 points in that quarter alone. Joel Embiid also had a big night - 32 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists but enough help from his teammates.
High Praise for Embiid
While everyone is at awe of the all-consuming game of James Harden, the MVP candidate also offered some high praise for the rookie center. According to Uproxx, Harden noted Embiid's skill as a big man because he could shoot from the 3-point line, create plays and his size could make him easily tower anyone in the league. He also noted that the big man has a bright future in the league.
Unfortunately, fans of Embiid and the 76ers have to wait a bit before he could return to the game. His injury nearly made him miss the game against the rockets and although his performance was impressive, it did take its toll on his knee. He'll be resting his bruised knee from two to three weeks.
Hopefully, Embiid returns just in time to push the team at least for a playoff spot. His return along with Ben Simmon's upcoming debut in the NBA could further boost the team's chances for a post season appearance.
