Embiid, Jokic, an evenly matched pivot battle

Nikola Jokic, reigning NBA MVP, and Joel Embiid have a lot in common. Every night they seem hell-bent on proving that whatever the Denver Nuggets center does, the Philadelphia 76ers center can do better and vice versa.

Coincidence or not, the two ‘big men’ have played on the same day in each of their teams’ last 4 games and racked up monster numbers.

The Cameroonian, who strangely is not among the candidates to win this season’s Most Valuable Player award, has been putting up records beyond All-Star caliber, he is matching up with Association legends like Wilt Chamberlain; however, what concerns us now is how evenly the two centers have performed on recent nights.

Date Player Pts-Reb-Asis/Player Pts-Reb-Asis*

Jan. 19 Embiid 50-12-2/Jokic 49-14-10

Jan. 21 Embiid 40-13-6/Jokic 26-11-12

Jan. 23rd Embiid 38-12-6/Jokic 34-9-8

Jan. 25 Embiid 42-14-4/Jokic 28-21-9

Embiid Averages 42-12-4/Jokic Averages 34-13-9

(Last 4 games)

The Sixers’ Cameroonian center has scored 170 points in just over 128 minutes over his last 4 games at 1.32 points per minute.

But how impressive is that? Well, because the only player with more points per minute in a 4-game span since minutes became official in 1951-52 is Wilt Chamberlain (min. 50 minutes). Wilt’s stretches overlap and each consists of his 100 point game.

But Jokic’s records are not far behind. The ‘Joker’ is the only player in NBA history to reach 5000 rebounds and 3000 assists during the first 500 games of his career.

So far this season, the pair of giants have met once, with Embiid and company winning 103-89 on Nov. 18. On that night, the African did not play, while Jokic saw action in 35 minutes during which he had 30 points, 10 boards and 9 assists.

It will certainly be an attraction to see them on the court on March 14, and hopefully by that time, both will keep up the fight to prove who is the most dominant and complete center in the NBA.