Watch: Joel Embiid's clutch block on Ja Morant's shot sends Philly crowd into a frenzy in wild game
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers were hosting Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies in Thursday night's matchup of playoff-bound teams. After the visiting team's huge first-quarter advantage, the 76ers have clawed their way back into the game with a sizzling fourth quarter.
Memphis was ahead 104-103 with roughly a minute left in the game when Morant drove into the heart of Philly's defense for a dunk. He was about to slam it over PJ Tucker when Embiid came from the weak side to emphatically shut Morant's slam attempt.
DENIED BY EMBIID 😳 https://t.co/Gzn5IgZbAY
The Grizzlies went on to add just one more point after the game-changing block as the 76ers eked out a 110-105 victory. Philly's raucous home crowd only got louder and rowdier after Embiid's morale-boosting swat against Morant.
The Philadelphia 76ers looked lethargic early in the game. Joel Embiid looked like he was still in Salt Lake City for the All-Star game. They were on their heels as early as the halfway point of the first period.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant and Co. were firing on all cylinders. They were the more determined team who played with more energy and a better sense of urgency. The Memphis Grizzlies were already up by 15 points after the game's first 12 minutes.
Philly's defense eventually began clamping down on the Grizzlies. After giving up 37 points in the first canto, they only allowed Memphis 22 points in the second quarter.
The Philadelphia 76ers, however, weren't also much better on offense. They put up just 25 points to cut the lead by 12 heading into the second half.
The fourth quarter was when Joel Embiid, James Harden and the Philadelphia 76ers turned things around. They limited Ja Morant and his team to 24 points while pouring in 35 points of their own for the comeback victory.
Embiid shot just 7-25 from the field amid the Grizzlies' constant double teams. He hit, however, several crucial free throws to tow the 76ers to anothe victory.
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers can still win the East
Ja Morant infamously asserted that he was "fine" in the West. His only problem was supposed to be just the Boston Celtics, who have had the best record in the NBA for most of the season.
Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers, however, may have something to say about that. They now hold a 38-19 win-loss slate after Thursday night's victory. Philly is just 3.5 games behind Boston (43-17) for the top seed in the East.
The Philadelphia 76ers held a 12-12 record after an embarrassing 132-103 overtime loss to the Houston Rockets last Dec. 5. Since then, they've gone 27-7, the best record in the NBA in that span.
Over his last 30 games, Joel Embiid has been averaging 33.5 points, 10.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists. He is shooting 53.8% from the field, including 38.0% from behind the arc.
WHAT A SEQUENCE 🤯 https://t.co/E0Z6JiugSW
James Harden has also complemented him well. The former MVP has been averaging 21.4 points, 10.9 assists and 6.0 rebounds in his last 30 games. "The Beard" has been shooting a sizzling 41.7% from deep during that span.
Joel Embiid and Harden have arguably been the NBA's best duo in the past 30 games or so.
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