The Thursday night matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Dallas Mavericks is simply a star-studded affair. The Joel Embiid-James Harden team would be up against the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving partnership in what should be an entertaining matchup, making it impossible for viewers to switch channels.
The NBA hasn’t had a matchup between two heavyweights like the one between the Mavs and Sixers’ top options in in 50 years. The Doncic-Embiid clash is the first contest between opposing players who have averaged at least 33 points per game over at least 30 games since January 17, 1975, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
The Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic matchup was really entertaining. In the Mavs’ 133-126 triumph over the Sixers, Doncic scored a game-high 42 points, while Embiid contributed 35 points in the losing cause. Following his impressive effort, Doncic is now averaging 33.4 points per game, while Embiid’s average of 33.0 points per game barely changed.
On January 17, 1975, Buffalo Braves centre Bob McAdoo faced up against Golden State Warriors forward Rick Barry in a game that the Braves ultimately lost, 121-116. Barry and McAdoo averaged 33 and 33.4 points per game going into that match, respectively.
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Bob McAdoo scored 45 points to lead the team in an eerily similar manner to the matchup between Luka Doncic and Joel Embiid. whereas Rick Barry had 35 in the loss, way for the Braves.
The game between the Mavericks and Sixers was set up to be high-scoring, and that’s exactly what it was. With with Doncic’s 42 points, their star trade deadline acquisition Kyrie Irving added 40 points; the two essentially alternated in destroying the Sixers’ defence.
Joel Embiid
The Sixers, however, had three players with 25 or more points; Tyrese Maxey, who was instrumental in their late-game attempt to wrest victory from defeat, finished with 29 points, while James Harden assisted Joel Embiid with 27 points and 13 assists.
There is still one more game between the Mavericks and Sixers, and maybe by then Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic are still averaging over 33 points each. It will meet on March 29 at the Wells Fargo Center; this contest will definitely be important for the Mavericks as they attempt to escape the play-in round.