Steven Adams gave his All Star credentials another boost with a strong performance for the Oklahoma City Thunder, this time against arguably the league's best at his position.
Adams was instrumental in helping the visiting Thunder secure a dramatic 117-115 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and their superstar centre, Joel Embiid.
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The 25-year-old finished with 16 points and nine rebounds on an efficient 8 from 12 shooting to go with a steal and two blocks.
While Embiid - a virtual lock to make his second All Star appearance next month - posted a strong statistical line of his own (30 points, eight rebounds), he was clearly troubled by the Kiwi's trademark brand of physical defence and relentless commitment to the glass in an intriguing battle of seven-footers.
A staggering seven of Adams' rebounds came on the offensive end, one of which created the opportunity for Terrance Ferguson to sink a critical three-pointer in the dying stages.
Paul George again came up clutch for the Thunder, coming off a rock-solid Adams screen to convert a huge four-point play with just seconds remaining to ensure his side snapped their two-game losing streak.
The contest had its share of heated moments. Late in the game, Thunder guard Russell Westbrook took exception with a hard Embiid foul and had to be restrained by teammates.
George ended with 31 points, six rebounds, five assists, and three steals to continue his career-best season, while Philadelphia's Australia star Ben Simmons posted 20 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists.
With just two days of public voting remaining, Adams still sits in sixth place among Western Conference forwards and is the unofficial second-placed centre behind the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic.
Third-placed in the NBA's Western Conference, the Thunder now return home to take on the struggling New York Knicks on Tuesday.
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