Charlotte Hornets vs Philadelphia 76ers: Combined starting 5 including Joel Embiid and Gordon Hayward

Small Forward - Gordon Hayward (Charlotte Hornets)

Oklahoma City Thunder v Charlotte Hornets.

Despite the noise during the 2020 NBA Free Agency about his huge contract with the Charlotte Hornets, Gordon Hayward has had a good start to the 2020-21 NBA season.

.@gordonhayward powers to the rim for the strong finish 💪#AllFly | @HornetsOnFSSE pic.twitter.com/R8Wj57dAGh

— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 27, 2020

His tenure with the Charlotte Hornets started with a 28-point effort in a season-opening loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Hayward is averaging 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists in the first six games and is on course to have his best year since the 2016-17 NBA season when he made his only All-Star Game.

Hayward has made 46% of his shots and 36% of his three-pointers. Against the Philadelphia 76ers in the previous game, Hayward put up 20 points, six assists, and six rebounds while making seven of his 15 field goals.

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Power Forward - Tobias Harris (Philadelphia 76ers)

Milwaukee Bucks v Philadelphia 76ers.

Tobias Harris has been a solid player for the Philadelphia 76ers in recent years and has had a good start to the 2020-21 NBA season.

📹 @tobias31 with another solid performance going for 24 points, 9 boards & 6 assists. pic.twitter.com/xwZaOw90NT

— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) January 3, 2021

In the first few weeks, Tobias Harris is averaging 18 points, 8.5 rebounds, three assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.

Moreover, Harris had a great game against the Charlotte Hornets in his previous outing. He put up 24 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four steals, and three blocks in 36 minutes.

He also made nine of his 14 shots against the Hornets and four of his seven attempts from the three-point line.

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Center - Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Philadelphia 76ers v Indiana Pacers.

The only option to be the Center on this starting five is the Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid. In fact, Joel Embiid might be making an early case for the NBA Most Valuable Player of the Year award if the Sixers continue their run and end up with one of the best records in the league.

Embiid is averaging 25 points and 13 rebounds per night in his first five appearances of the 2020-21 NBA season. The Sixers have won every game in which Embiid played, and his presence has been huge for them.

Against the Hornets in their last outing, Embiid put up 19 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in 36 minutes.

Overall, Embiid has been great offensively, though he may need to show more aggression on the attack. The center has made 54% of his shots, 40% of his three-pointers, and 80% of his free throws (which might be his best asset).

With a healthy Embiid in the regular season, achieving the best record in the East is certainly possible for the Sixers. Moreover, if he continues with this kind of efficiency on offense and adds more intensity, Embiid can become a clear MVP candidate.

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