Sixers at Wizards – Game Preview
When the Sixers were embarking on this four-game road trip, the goal was to come away at the end with a split, maybe three wins or possibly sweeping the entire trip. While they will not walk away with a sweep, they have a chance to win three or four with their final game of the roadie in Washington (3-3) tonight. They have won the last two games in two different ways, but they’ve gotten it done and that’s all that matters. Now let’s take a look at how they can take their third game this evening against the Wizards:
- Let’s start with Tyrese Maxey. This guy has been brilliant! In game one against the Raptors, Maxey and Joel Embiid led all scorers with 31 points in their opening loss in Toronto. He then followed up that performance with a 44-point explosion on Friday night with Embiid out of the lineup — helping to lead the 76ers to a 22-point victory in a tough environment. Although he had a tough shooting performance in Chicago while battling foul trouble, the third-year guard was still able to total 14 points as the Sixers won their second consecutive game — improving to 3-4 on the season. What we’re seeing from Maxey right now is very encouraging. If head coach Doc Rivers and the coaching staff, along with Maxey’s teammates — can continue to find him and put him in more advantageous spots on the floor to thrive… look out! Nice job by the Sixers to pick Maxey’s fourth-year team option… not a big surprise. They also picked up the option of second-year wing Jaden Springer.
- The overall team defense has been much, much better. Since Rivers has called Matisse Thybulle’s number, you can see the difference in the team’s overall perimeter defense. There seems to be much more communication, leading to confusion with the opposition and better results for Philadelphia. You then include Shake Milton into the conversation and we’re starting to see a quality adjustment from the coaching staff as they going deeper into the bench when the time calls for it. De’Anthony Melton has been very good; Montrezl Harrell may have had his best game as a Sixer on Friday against the Raptors and while Daniel House’s shooting has not been lights out yet — he’s still finding ways to contribute while on the floor. And let’s not forget about George Niang’s contribution, giving Philadelphia 15 points off the bench against Chicago on Saturday. Maybe that will open up things for his overall game.
- Ball movement. This has been a key for the 76ers over the last few seasons and we simply have not seen enough of it through these first seven games of the campaign. But on Saturday in Chicago, the Sixers made 39 field goals, but most importantly, 28 of those were assisted on. And if we go back to the game on Friday night against the Raptors with Embiid, the Sixers did record 25 assists on 43 made baskets. There seems to be more sharing of the basketball with a good approach and not many one-on-one situations that can be a negative… resulting in a lot of standing around on the offensive end of the floor. Sharing is caring — this must continue in order for them to have success.
Tonight, in Washington kicks off a three-game week with two against the Wizards — they visit Philadelphia on Wednesday on the back end of a home-and-home schedule. The New York Knicks visit on Friday. A busy week as the 76ers look to continue their winning ways.
