Joel Embiid continues to trend on a path to a second consecutive Most Valuable Player award as the Philadelphia 76ers enter Friday’s home game against the Toronto Raptors.
Embiid scored a season-best 51 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to propel the Philadelphia 76ers past the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-113 on Wednesday.
Embiid’s 51 points represented his fifth straight game with at least 35, tying a franchise record previously set by Wilt Chamberlain and Allen Iverson. It was also Embiid’s 12th consecutive game with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds, the longest streak since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did it 16 straight times in 1971-72.
As a result, the Sixers have been winning consistently and will look for their eighth win in nine games when they face the Raptors.
While Embiid has been taking a plethora of jump shots, the key to his success has been getting to the basket and attacking.
Tyrese Maxey also had a stellar all-around game with 35 points to complete a one-two punch with the reigning MVP.
De’Anthony Melton sustained a left thigh contusion and didn’t play the second half against the Timberwolves. Melton’s status is unclear for Friday.
The Raptors will look to rebound following a 113-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
Scottie Barnes led the Raptors with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Pascal Siakam added 18 points.
It was not nearly enough to offset Nikola Jokic’s 31 points and 15 rebounds.
Still, Barnes was active and continued to prove his mettle for the Raptors.
The Raptors came out a bit sluggish and trailed by as many as 21 points.
Toronto did close within 96-91 when Precious Achiuwa knocked down a 3-pointer with 6:06 remaining. The deficit proved to be too much to overcome.
