The Sixer Sense
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RECAP: Washington Wizards 109, Philadelphia 76ers 94

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers on February 25, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Kelly Oubre Jr. #12 of the Washington Wizards handles the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers on February 25, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Washington Wizards defeated the Philadelphia 76ers in a big game on Sunday night, as the 76ers’ red-hot winning streak came to an end at seven games.

So this is what losing feels like? The city of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia 76ers finally lost on Sunday night, and it came against a deserving opponent.

It’s hard to argue against the fact that the Wizards were just better tonight. There were multiple stretches in the first half where it felt like they just couldn’t miss, as their 54.4 percent field goal percentage and 12-25 mark from three point land support that fact. Kelly Oubre Jr., Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter Jr. headed this attack, as the three combined for 10-18 from three.

The 76ers top-ranked defense wasn’t necessarily bad tonight either, as a lot of the attempts taken by the Wizards were heavily contested. Beal seemed to have it going from the start, and put a halt to every Sixers comeback effort throughout the second half.

For the 76ers, things were on the complete opposite end of the spectrum offensively. At one point midway through the third quarter down by 22, the the Sixers were shooting just 33 percent from the field. Dario Saric was pretty much nonexistent offensively through three quarters of play, and Marco Belinelli and J.J. Redick stayed quiet all game, combining just 4-15 from three.

Joel Embiid even seemed unlike his usual self tonight despite another 25 point, 10 rebound double-double. There were places throughout the game where the pace was extremely intense and Embiid was basically a non-factor. Again, this was just the third back-to-back Embiid has played in his career.

All good things must come to an end

It’s not easy to win NBA basketball games this time of year when you shoot just 36 percent from the field on the road against playoff-caliber teams. That is exactly what the Philadelphia 76ers did tonight as their winning streak of seven games finally comes to an end.

With the loss, the Sixers drop to 32-26 on the season and remain in the 7th seed of the Eastern Conference, still just 2.5 games behind the third-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards continue to stay hot amidst the absence of star point guard John Wall, and improve to 35-25 as the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Ersan Ilyasova to return to the Sixers

The 76ers will take on the Miami Heat in Miami on Feb. 27 in a huge game as the playoff race continues in the East.