With just over four minutes left in the game, the Philadelphia 76ers found themselves in a bit of trouble last night, with Joel Embiid getting called for an offensive foul, which would have caused the MVP-frontrunner to foul out of the game. 

Doc Rivers called a timeout and challenged the call and after a review, the officials overturned the call to a “non-call” which meant that the basket Embiid made counted, and he was able to remain in the game to help close out the Sixers’ 118-109 win over the Cavaliers. 

Joel Embiid Overturned Foul Call

After the game, Embiid talked about the call that the officials made and at the same time, threw some shade at a fellow MVP contender, Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Joel Embiid on the Overturned Foul Call

“I think it was a good call. I never extended my arm and I never really put a lot of pressure into hitting him. And you could tell right before the hit, he was trying to flop and fall.”

“I didn’t think I had extended anything. I watch basketball every day. And based on the way, those are officiated — We got some guys that basically play like running backs in this league that get that call all the time — I was pretty confident.”

Embiid was clearly referencing the play that Giannis made earlier in the week, where he basically “truck-sticked” Suns defender, Torrey Craig. 

Giannis Truck-Stick on Torrey Craig

Originally tweeted by Suns Geek (@sunsgeek) on March 15, 2023.

To be clear, on the play above, the foul was called on Torrey Craig.

Last night, Embiid dominated yet again, scoring 36 points with 18 rebounds, and four blocks to lead the Sixers to victory. It was Embiid’s 24th 35+ point game this season, the most by a center since Moses Malone’s 25-game stretch in the 1981-1982 season. 

As I’ve noted before, Malone won the MVP Award that season and after last night, sports books have taken notice, with Embiid now listed as the favorite to take home the award this season at +100. 

Joel Embiid’s Last 14 Games

• 36 PTS, 18 REB, 3 AST, 63% FG
• 34 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST, 57% FG
• 39 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 65% FG
• 39 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST, 59% FG
• 42 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 68% FG
• 31 PTS, 6 REB, 10 AST, 50% FG
• 35 PTS, 8 REB, 2 STL, 62% FG
• 27 PTS, 12 REB, 2 AST, 58% FG
• 41 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, 57% FG
• 27 PTS, 19 REB, 6 AST, 6 BLK
• 29 PTS, 14 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL
• 23 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 57% FG
• 37 PTS, 13 REB, 2 AST, 66% FG
• 35 PTS, 11 REB, 6 AST, 77% FG

With the win, the Sixers improved to 46-22 on the season. They are now just 3.5 games behind the first place Milwaukee Bucks and only a game behind the second place Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Standings. 

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