PHILADELPHIA (AP) – The Philadelphia 76ers Center Joel Ambid is in the starting lineup for Friday’s 3 Series playoff game against Miami after being eliminated in the first two games with a right orbit fracture and a mild concussion.
Embid warmed up in a protective mask when returning from the Sixers, trying to win his first game in the Eastern Conference semifinals. “Hit” led in the series 2-0.
“He really couldn’t do much,” coach Doc Rivers said before the game. “We just have air conditioning and the way it looks on the floor.”
Embid led the 76ers with averages of 30.6 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game in the regular season. And even though he is worried about a right thumb ligament injury that will require surgery in the offseason, he also scored an average of 26.2 points and 11.3 rebounds in six games against Toronto in the first round.
Embid is one of three finalists for the MVP along with Nikola Jokic of Denver and Janis Atetokunmpa of Milwaukee.
Kyle Lowry also returned to the starting lineup of “Heath” after missing the last four playoff games due to tension in the left hamstring. The Hit went 4-0 without a quarterback.
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