We didn’t execute what we wanted to – Joel Embiid after Game 2 loss against Boston Celtics

 

Philadelphia 76ers talisman Joel Embiid was named the NBA MVP on Tuesday. After recovering from a sprained lateral collateral ligament in his right knee, Embiid returned to his team’s playing XI after two weeks.

However, his return wasn’t a memorable one as the Philadelphia 76ers suffered a huge drubbing of 121-87 as they were dominated in every aspect of the game. Embiid had 15 points and five blocks in 27 minutes for his team and it was the only positive for the team.

Embiid admitted they couldn’t execute their plans and they didn’t have the same urgency as their opponents, who dominated them from the get-go in the second game of the series to draw level 1-1.

“I just thought tonight they made a lot of shots,” Embiid said of the Celtics. “They beat us to every loose ball, and they played with more desperation than us. We didn’t execute what we wanted to, and we’ve got to be better.

“We knew they were going to try to respond after us winning that first game, and we just wasn’t ready enough. But we’ll fix it.”

Meanwhile, Celtics attempted 51 three-point shots and they were able to convert 20 of them and thus stamped their authority on the match.

“Some of that is under their control,” 76ers coach Doc Rivers said of the Celtics’ 3-point barrage. “If they want to shoot 3s, they’re going to shoot more 3s.

“I thought what was under our control was dribble penetration. They lived in the paint, which generated 3s.”

Embiid, who returned to action after a fortnight, feels his fitness will further improve with time.

“[Tuesday] was the first time I did some really going up and down in two weeks,” Embiid said. “But I’ve grown a lot and found ways to take care of myself, and I know what to do. Sometimes you feel tired, but I thought tonight was fine, and I’ll be better as the days go on.”

The third game of the series between these two teams will be played on Friday night.