The Washington Wizards played the second half of a back-to-back as they hosted the visiting Philadelphia 76ers.
Like Washington, who fell to the Celtics on Friday night, Philly lost on Friday night; like Washington, the 76ers were on a losing streak.
After taking a lead in the first quarter, Washington trailed the rest of the way and fell to the 76ers 119-113.
Washington (9-43) has now lost six straight, and the 76ers (31-21) snapped a four-game losing streak.
Here’s the Great, the Not So Great, and the Bottom Line of the Wizards’ loss to the 76ers.
Great:
Tyus Jones played a great floor game on Saturday. He had a team-best and season-high 25 points, a team-high nine assists, three rebounds and one steal. In addition, he made a career-high six three-pointers. Jones, who had only one turnover, scored 12 points in the first quarter.
Deni Avdija had another solid game for the Wizards. He had 10 of his 21 points in the fourth, a team-high 13 rebounds, and five assists. This was Avdija’s second straight 20/10 (pts., rebs.) double-double.
Kyle Kuzma scored 13 of his 21 points in the fourth and added five assists and a career-high four blocks. He has now scored 20-plus points in 31 total games this season.
Fourth Quarter: The 76ers took a 90-80 lead into the fourth, but the Wizards went on a 14-5 run to cut the lead to 100-98 with just over six minutes to go, but it wasn’t enough as the 76ers pulled away late.
Washington shot 64% from the field; Kuzma and Avdija combined for 23 of the team’s 29 fourth-quarter points.
Not So Great:
Rebounding: The 76ers outworked the Wizards on the glass. Philly outrebounded the Wizards 48-39, and they had 21 second-chance points.
Turnovers: Washington committed 17 turnovers, which led to 19 points for the 76ers. Seven of Washington’s 17 turnovers came in the third quarter.
Third Quarter: The Wizards are near the bottom(24th) of the NBA in third-quarter points and struggled in the third quarter against Philly. The 76ers had a 59-56 lead at the break, and after a 16-5 run in the third, they had their largest lead at 86-71.
Bottom Line:
Coming into this game, the 76ers had been struggling without Joel Embiid, so Washington had an opportunity to win this one.
The last two nights, the effort has been there, but the Wizards just didn’t have enough to get over the hump.
What’s Next:
Washington begins a four-game road trip on Monday in Dallas against Daniel Gafford and the Mavericks.
Best of the Rest:
Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers with 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists; Buddy Hield had 23 points, five rebounds, and six assists. Rookie Ricky Council had career-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds. Philly had six players in double figures, including all five starters.
Bilal Coulibaly had 13 points (3-6 FG, 7-10 FT), five rebounds, and one assist off Washington’s bench. Coulibaly has now topped double-figure scoring 21 times this season.
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