GRADES: Sixers outlast Wizards to take 1-0 series lead

The Philadelphia 76ers take game one at home despite the Washington Wizards dictating the pace.

Most analysts predicted a sweep of some sort. Gentleman’s, 4-0, one way or the other Philadelphia was going to seal the deal.

This analyst would have predicted a low-scoring affair with Ben Simmons showcasing his elite defense by cutting off the head of the snake that is Russell Westbrook. Perhaps Matisse Thybulle would have seen extended minutes given the matchup.

Neither mattered as Russell Westbrook dictated the flow of action. Both teams came out firing, putting up 28 and 27 as Washington took a one-point lead after the first.

The second quarter was more of the same as the teams split a 68-point quarter evenly. The squads entered the half with the underdog Wizards leading 62-61.

Philadelphia pulled out to a slight lead in third as their offense controlled the pace. A 38-31 quarter was dictated by Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris, and Seth Curry leading the way with Ben Simmons dictating the action, spreading the ball around the floor en route to 15 assists.

The fourth quarter was a back and forth affair with Philadelphia finally locking up on the defensive end. Philadelphia matched bucket for bucket with the necessary stops along the way as they controlled the final frame to close out a 125-118 victory.

37 mins | 37 pts | 6 reb | 2 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 2 TO | 15-29 FG | 2-5 3PT| 5-5 FT | 0 PF | +2 |

Give the man his roses. A drastically underappreciated player, Harris stepped up in his first act of the 2021 playoffs. 37 big-time points on the way to a shootout.

38 mins | 6 pts | 15 reb | 15 ast | 1 stl | 1 blk | 2 TO | 3-9 FG | 0-1 3PT| 0-6 FT | 4 PF | +18 |

Simmons was four points from a triple-double — posting 15 assists and 15 rebounds as he controlled the tempo. Not deciding the game on the defensive end, but helping facilitate on offense.

30 mins | 30 pts | 6 reb | 3 ast | 0 stl | 1 blk | 5 TO | 9-16 FG | 0-3 3PT| 12-13 FT | 4 PF | +20 |

Classic Embiid game. He led the way and produced on both ends. The best player on the court.

31 mins | 11 pts | 2 reb | 2 ast | 2 stl | 1 blk | 1 TO | 4-6 FG | 3-4 3PT| 0-0 FT | 1 PF | +15 |

All five starters earned passing grades. Any readers know Green’s 3-point percentage dictates his grade. A make or miss league and Green is the perfect example.

32 mins | 15 pts | 4 reb | 1 ast | 2 stl | 0 blk | 0 TO | 6-13 FG | 3-9 3PT| 0-0 FT | 3 PF | +11 |

The glue that holds the team together. His spacing has been key and unleashes the openness that releases the stars. If Curry is moving, so is the offense.

The teams will run it back on Wednesday as Philadelphia looks to take a 2-0 lead.