With Joel Embiid Scoring 70 Points, Here’s A Look Back At LeBron James’ Miami Heat Record
Reigning MVP Joel Embiid did something that no other player in the history of the Philadelphia 76ers has done ever Monday night.
He scored 70 points to break the team’s single-game scoring record in a 133-123 win over the San Antonio Spurs.
How does the center’s game compare to that of LeBron James’ record-setting night nine years ago? James broke Glen Rice’s record with a 61-point performance in a win over the Charlotte Bobcats in 2014. That record had stood for 19 years.
Embiid broke a record that had stood for much longer. His 70 points topped Wilt Chamberlain’s 68-point game all the way back in 1967.
James netted his 61-piece on a hot shooting night. He nailed 8 of 10 three-point attempts and converted 22 of 33 shots. Embiid had a little more help from the referees in order to earn his career night. He made 24 buckets from the floor, but he attempted a staggering 41 shots. His success came at the free-throw line. Embiid hit 21 of his 23 from the line to help inflate his scoring total. For reference, James had just nine free throws during his 2014 performance.
The argument could have been made that Embiid’s opportunities in the fourth quarter with a big lead were “selfish,” but James had a similar game circumstances on his impressive night. Both the 76ers and Heat had double-digit leads late into their respective contests. James was subbed out with two minutes remaining while Embiid exited with a minute and a half left on the clock.
The context of each game should also be taken into account. The 2023-24 Spurs are a fun team to watch due to their young talent, but the fact of the matter is that San Antonio is a bottom team in the Western Conference. The 2013-14 Bobcats made the playoffs and were coincidentally Miami’s first-round opponent in the postseason. The level of competition favors James for this.
The Heat went on to win the NBA championship a few months after James’ historic night. Could Embiid’s Philadelphia squad do the same this year?
Casey Fahrer is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at caseyfahrer716@gmail.com.
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