After a close first quarter, the Philadelphia 76ers exploded in the second quarter and never looked back. The Sixers scored 72 points in the second and third quarters combined, en route to a beat down of the injury riddled Washington Wizards.
RING THAT BELL.
Every single Philadelphia 76ers player that played scored. Joel Embiid ended up with a small child in his lap, and newly signed Haywood Highsmith made his debut. It was a blowout in every sense of the word.
Landry Shamet stole the show tonight with a career high 29 points, 27 of which before the final quarter. Shamet was one three-pointer shy of tying the franchise record for triples in a game. J.J. Redick sat out due to back tightness, and Shamet filled the veterans role and possibly exceeded it.
The Sixers dished out 39 assists on 49 made field goals. From start to finish, the Sixers were successfully wheeling and dealing the basketball. Ben Simmons led the team with 9 assists and fellow point guard T.J. McConnell chipped in with five dimes.
After missing the past two contests, Jimmy Butler had a strong showing with 20 points on 8-9 shooting. Butler had a strong two-way game. He combined his efficient scoring with excellent defense. Joel Embiid had an effortless 20 and 10, and Ben Simmons dropped 17 points while playing stout defense.
The John Wall-less Wizards played respectable starting and closing quarters, but slogged through quarters two and three, which ultimately made the difference. All-Star guard Bradley Beal scored 28 points on 11-18 from the floor. Jeff Green was the only other Wizards starter in double figures with 15 points. The Wizards bench chipped in for 54 points, but the team’s undoing was their nonexistent defense. Washington allowed the Sixers to shoot 55 percent and gave them 25 free throw opportunities.
The Sixers earned 21 points off of 17 Washington turnovers, while turning the ball over 20 times. The Sixers made more shots than they missed, largely in part to their 58 paint points. The Sixers handled the Wizards in expected fashion.
The Sixers looked sharp tonight. The defense was tight and the ball movement was quick and intelligent. Washington is looking its own mortality in the face, but the Sixers handled their business without any drama. The Sixers emptied the bench and two-way players Shake Milton and Haywood Highsmith received a healthy run at the end of the fourth quarter. It was a clean win, that offers another reminder of how forceful the Sixers can be when they play anywhere near their capabilities.
The win has improved the Sixers home record (18-3) to the best in the NBA. At the halfway point of the season, the Sixers are 27-14 and fourth in the Eastern Conference standings. The Sixers will travel to Washington on Wednesday for a back-to-back.