Joel Embiid Addresses Sixers’ Turnover Struggles vs. Miami Heat

For the second-straight game, the Philadelphia 76ers fell short against a possible playoff opponent. After Saturday’s game against the Boston Celtics, Sixers center Joel Embiid blamed his team’s “relaxed” third quarter as a reason why they dropped a double-digit lead and came up short.

On Monday, the Sixers found themselves on the other end of a double-digit lead. For nearly three quarters, the Sixers were behind on the scoreboard. Once again, they struggled with perimeter defense and played an overall “sloppy” game, in the words of Doc Rivers.

Philadelphia lost the turnover battle on Monday, coughing up the ball 20 times. In comparison, they forced turnovers just 13 times against the Heat. After the game, Sixers center Joel Embiid took accountability for his team’s turnover troubles.

“It’s on me,” said the big man. “Just being careless. Could have done a better job. That’s on me.”

Despite leading the Sixers in scoring with 27 points and making it a double-double by collecting 12 rebounds, Embiid accounted for a team-high of six turnovers. The star guard James Harden was behind him with four of his own.

While turnovers were key to the Sixers’ struggles against the Miami Heat on Monday, Embiid thought that for the third-straight game, they weren’t totally locked in from beginning to end.

“We just got to execute — like I said — 48 minutes a game we just got to be locked in,” Embiid explained. “That’s what I’ve seen from these last games. Memphis we had a comeback. Boston, we had the lead and gave it up, then we had a comeback. Tonight, we had a comeback.”

Despite struggling from the field in the fourth quarter, draining just 20 percent of their shots, the Sixers managed to get out in front for a one-point lead. Unfortunately for them, they couldn’t squeeze out a win in the final seconds for the second-straight game.

“Like I said, it starts with me,” Embiid finished. “I just got to be better. Yeah, I just got to be better.”

The Heat pulled off the upset on Monday night. Taking advantage of the Sixers’ turnover struggles and late-game scoring woes, the Heat defeated the Sixers 101-99. Now, the Sixers will re-group and head out to Miami looking to avoid falling into a three-game hole after taking on losses against the Heat and the Celtics.

Justin Grasso covers the Philadelphia 76ers for All76ers, a Sports Illustrated channel. You can follow him for live updates on Twitter: @JGrasso_.