“I've got to play more games than I have in the past. “Every single year, I come in with the mindset of trying to play every single game I can,” Embiid said. Embiid had plenty of reasons to play - and made the Pistons pay. Embiid, who has a history of injuries, was NBA MVP runner-up last season and one strike against him was games played: He played in 51 games while Denver’s Nikola Jokic played all 72. “You've just got to bury a team,” Sixers guard Tyrese Maxey said.Įmbiid went through shootaround and a pregame workout feeling healthy enough to give the game a try. Embiid, though, sank four free throws and buried a 3 from the top of the arc in the waning moments that saved the Sixers - who had 20 turnovers - from a complete meltdown.