PLAYER GRADES: Washington Wizards 123, Philadelphia 76ers 106
In the second half of a home-and-home against Washington, the Philadelphia 76ers got stomped on the road.
The Philadelphia 76ers ran through Washington on Tuesday, with Landry Shamet setting records and the big three getting fourth-quarter rest. The story was vastly different Wednesday, with the Sixers traveling to D.C. to battle the same Wizards team.
It was tied 8-8 in the early going, but that was as close as the Sixers would get. The Wizards pulled out a 9-0 run immediately after, setting the tone for the remainder of the game. The lead would balloon to over 20 at certain points, with the Wiz up 63-48 when the halftime buzzer sounded.
Ben Simmons was underwhelming in the first half, activating quadruple-double watch with seven turnovers. Jimmy Butler never got it going either, putting up several ugly misses despite a clear effort to get him more standard, isolation looks.
The Sixers felt J.J. Redick‘s absence far more on the road, with Shamet struggling to maintain his fiery pace from last night. It was just a poor effort all around, with Bradley Beal and the Wizards in control throughout.
It was a turnover-heavy game on both sides — the Wizards racked up 18 — but the Sixers were especially bad in that department, tallying 24 giveaways on the night. 14 of those came in the first half, while Simmons and Embiid finished the game with seven a piece.
B. <strong>33 mins | 35 pts | 14 reb | 2 ast | 1 stl | 3 blk | 7 TO | 11-17 FG | 1-4 3PT| 12-14 FT | 3 PF | -25 | </strong><p>Embiid was the only consistently good Sixer tonight. He turned the ball over seven times, but also scored 35 efficient points while grabbing 14 boards and blocking three shots. If the Sixers got consistent effort from the supporting cast, the game might’ve looked different.</p>. C. Philadelphia 76ers. JOEL EMBIID
C-. <strong>34 mins | 15 pts | 10 reb | 8 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 7 TO | 7-15 FG | 0-0 3PT| 1-4 FT | 1 PF | -16 |</strong><p>Simmons picked up all seven turnovers in the first half, so at least there was some improvement late in the game. He was otherwise solid, albeit unspectacular, making nice passes, pushing the pace and staying engaged on defense. It just wasn’t <em>quite</em> there tonight.</p>. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. BEN SIMMONS
C+. <strong>36 mins | 23 pts | 9 reb | 2 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 7-18 FG | 0-2 3PT| 9-10 FT | 0 PF | -22 |</strong><p>Butler was oddly quiet despite scoring 23 points, struggling to find the mark early and never really hitting his stride. He only shot 7-for-18, but did work his way to the free throw line 10 times. Per usual, Butler was engaged and active on defense.</p>. SF. Philadelphia 76ers. JIMMY BUTLER
B. <strong>25 mins | 16 pts | 5 reb | 2 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 5-10 FG | 4-8 3PT| 2-3 FT | 2 PF | -6 |</strong><p><a rel=. SG. Philadelphia 76ers. FURKAN KORKMAZ
D. <strong>24 mins | 2 pts | 1 reb | 5 ast | 1 stl | 0 blk | 1 TO | 1-5 FG | 0-0 3PT| 0-0 FT | 3 PF | +3 |</strong><p>This game serves as yet another reminder of <a rel=. PG. Philadelphia 76ers. T.J. MCCONNELL
Embiid was the only Sixer to find consistent production, putting up 35 points and 14 rebounds in an effort to keep Philadelphia competitive. The turnovers aren’t ideal, but Jo has some excuse given his offensive burden and the struggles of those around him.
Butler would end up with 23 points, but it came with relative inefficiency and only two assists. At least he avoided turnover issues with just one.
Bradley Beal scored 34, keeping the Sixers at bay with his effortless perimeter game. The Wizards also got strong showings from Otto Porter, Sam Dekker and Thomas Bryant.
dark. Next. A blockbuster Ben Simmons trade proposal
The Sixers’ next game is Friday in the Wells Fargo Center, with Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks coming to town.