Joel Embiid: 'I'm back'

Sunday was a big time game at Wells Fargo Center between the 76ers and Pacers. The NBA knew it because it was their Sunday Showcase on ABC. The fans knew it because it felt like a playoff atmosphere at tip-off, with basically the entire lower bowl on its feet, and many folks in the upper deck as well. The media knew it because a lot of us pointed out how a Sixers win would tie them for third place in the East with Indiana, while a loss would drop them to fifth.

And even though Brett Brown didn't want to "over dramatize it," as he noted pregame, the way his team played defense in the second half was postseason caliber. Not to mention, No. 21 returned, and I hear he's a pretty good player. Sixers blewout the Pacers 106-89.

The win ties the Sixers with the Pacers for third in the East, and the 76ers own the head-to-head tiebreaker. This was a massively important game, and the 76ers took care of business.

"We're fighting for the third seed over here," Joel Embiid, who scored 33 points with 12 rebounds in his return, said. "We're fighting for home court advantage. I just felt like this game was also really important.

Here are my observations from win No. 42

Embiid: "I'm Back"

"I'm back." -- pic.twitter.com/DbBrRAAWfH

Embiid played his first game that actually counted since their win over the Knicks prior to the All-Star break.

"It's been hard," Embiid said, "because you want to be out there and, for the people that know me, I hate not playing. I always want to play and I always push to play, but, at the end of the day, got to trust all these guys."

Early on, it was obvious Embiid missed eight games in a row with left knee soreness. He looked out of shape (which was expected), often hunching over and not standing on the block during offensive free throws. Not to mention, Embiid got into foul trouble, racking up three before halftime. One of the fouls was absolutely bogus, and a frustrated Embiid picked up a technical foul. His third was completely unnecessary, as he dove on top of a driving Aaron Holiday.

The Pacers led 59-51 at the break, and it seemed like this wasn't going to go in the Sixers favor, especially given the offense lacked chemistry due to Embiid's absence.

But, everything turned around after halftime.

Embiid scored 24 of his 33 points in the second half, with 18 coming in the fourth quarter. He looked like the Joel of old, and not the guy who missed a few weeks of basketball games.

"In general, I think two things surprised me," Brown said. "His fatigue, especially after I saw him (Saturday), wasn't as immediate as I thought it would be, and his turnovers. I was really expecting some because of Indiana, some because he hasn't played to be greater than two, and I don't think he had a turnover in the 2nd half. His impact is significant all over the place, as well all understand."

The clearest indication that Embiid was shaping back into form was with 8:35 left in the fourth quarter when the center completed an AND-1 layup. He subsequently turned to the rising crowd at Wells Fargo Center and shouted, "I'm Back."

Embiid was certainly back, recording yet another double-double in 28 minutes of action.

"I had to play this game just to make sure we were in good position (standings wise)," Embiid said.

"He is a difference maker in all ways, shapes and forms," Brown said.

No doubt about that. Simply put, Embiid is irreplaceable.

Sixers Defense Was Elite In The 2nd Half

The Sixers were leading by two points, 72-70, heading to the fourth quarter, and for the life of me, I couldn't figure out why. Their offense lacked flow and Embiid hadn't kicked things into another gear yet.

But, then I looked at the box score, and saw the Pacers only scored 11 points in the third quarter. Indiana went from 6:55 left in the third quarter to 9:55 to go in the fourth without making a field goal. Not to mention, they were a dismal from the foul line.

"We didn't change one thing schematically as far as the game plan went, but what just did what we tried to do better in the second half," Brown said.

Brown prides his program on defense. He was especially happy with deflections, how they closed out on shooters and also couldn't deny the impact Embiid played on that end of the floor. While the big guy was the headline, the Sixers don't win Sunday without their defensive effort. It, like Embiid, was sensational.

Where's Jimmy and JJ?

Not everything was positive about the Sixers encouraging victory Sunday afternoon. Jimmy Butler and JJ Redick were a tad too quiet on offense, both shooting three-for-eight in the game. Butler finished with 12 points because he was six-of-six from the foul line. Redick scored only nine, as his rut (minus the win over Orlando last week) continues.

Butler also didn't play the final four minutes because he removed his sneaker not he bench and was holding his foot. Brown wasn't sure what was wrong with the foot. It may be nothing.

But all in all, it wasn't the best of games for either Butler or Redick.