Joel Embiid is still killing it out there

Joel Embiid has now posted 13 consecutive games where he’s put up at least 30 points and 10 rebounds. This kind of dominance is special, and we’ve got to respect it. In his latest game against the Toronto Raptors, Embiid barely missed a triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists. He was also a force on defense with two steals and four blocks.

I personally feel that he’s so far ahead in the MVP race that it would take a catastrophic collapse for him not to walk away with a consecutive MVP award. It’s much deserved, especially since he’s got the Sixers in position to challenge for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia 76ers are only 1.5 games behind the Boston Celtics with their 20-8 record which is good for third in the East.

The crazy thing about the game against the Raptors was that he wasn’t even the leading scorer. Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey both had 33 apiece in the 121-111 victory. The team vibes seem to be great, too, seeing as Tyrese Maxey was quick to praise Embiid after the game. Harris has also really benefited from James Harden’s departure and is playing like he might be worth his contract.

Duncan Robinson is going to be important for the Miami Heat this year

Duncan Robison went supernova in the fourth quarter for the Miami Heat in a closely fought game against the Atlanta Hawks today, scoring 21 in the final period to ensure a 122-113 victory. Robinson was great in the clutch, scoring Miami’s final six points including four free throws after the Hawks cut it to 118-113 with 32.1 seconds left on the clock.

With the Heat clinging onto the sixth seed, they’re going to need more games like this from Robinson. Only 4.5 games currently separate the sixth and eleventh seeds in the East and it’s probably going to stay this tight all season.

The Sacramento Kings are pretty good at responding to a loss

The Sacramento Kings got an unequivocal ass whooping from the Boston Celtics the other day, but were able to respond by getting a crucial 120-105 win over division rivals the Phoenix Suns. They ran the lead up by as much as 29 points in the second half thanks to hot shooting and a defense that’s slowly improving.

Domantas Sabonis led the way with a triple-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists, while floor leader De’Aaron Fox finished with 23 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks. Keegan Murray also had 21 points while shooting 8 of 13 overall and 3 of 7 from beyond the arc.

The Kings have been pretty resilient so far this campaign, even as they’ve already seen multiple missed games from the likes of Fox and Murray. They’ve only lost three in a row once this season and two-straight once. They’re 17-10 record is good for fourth in the Western Conference, but the LA Clippers are only half a game behind and are playing like worldbeaters at the moment.

Sacramento’s joy may be short-lived, though. They’ve got the Minnesota Timberwolves on the second night of a back-to-back, and though the Wolves will likely be missing Karl-Anthony Towns, they’re still the top team in the West. The one thing that will keep the Kings confident, though, is that they do own a 124-111 win over the Wolves already.