Sixers give all credit to Joel Embiid for shutting down Bam Adebayo

CAMDEN, N.J. — In the first two games of this second-round series between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Miami Heat, the Heat were getting a lot of production out of their big man, Bam Adebayo.

With Joel Embiid sidelined for the first two games due to the concussion protocol and the orbital fracture, Adebayo feasted as he totaled 47 points and 21 rebounds to help the Heat take a 2-0 series lead.

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As Embiid returned on Friday, Adebayo only had nine points on 2-for-9 shooting and only three rebounds. The Sixers ended up winning the game and coach Doc Rivers gave all the credit to Embiid for shutting down Adebayo.

“It’s literally that simple,” said Rivers. “He was matched up a lot of minutes against Jo. He did have a stretch without him, but just when a guy’s bigger than you and athletic and with girth and whatever else, it helps. Joel, I’ve said it all year, that he has not gotten his due defensively. I thought yesterday (Friday) showed that.”

As the Sixers move forward in this series, Embiid will continue to be matched up with Adebayo and that should be a huge factor in Philadelphia being able to get back in and win this series. As talented as Adebayo is, this is a matchup where Embiid has a big advantage and that swings the game to the Sixers in that area.

Game 4 on Sunday is critical as Philadelphia looks to earn a 2-2 split before going back to Miami for Game 5.

This post originally appeared on Sixers Wire! Follow us on Facebook!