Sixers storylines to watch: Wizards’ last-ditch adjustments
The Wizards enter this game with no precedent for a come-back. There’s a very good chance this series ends in four, and if it doesn’t, it will most likely end in five. Washington is a notoriously competitive group, however, and neither Bradley Beal nor Russell Westbrook seem the type to throw in the towel. Scott Brooks is coaching for his job, and there’s a chance Washington reaches deep into its bag of tracks — however limited that bag may be.
Swapping Raul Neto for Davis Bertans has done very little, and Washington’s flimsy bench continues to make little to no impact. The Wizards need more size and stretch on the wing, but not many names on the roster are capable of providing it. There’s a chance we see the likes of Chandler Hutchison or Garrison Mathews for the sake of changing things up, but neither name should strike fear in the hearts of Philadelphians.
Beyond that, the only real adjustments Washington can make is in execution. The Wizards’ defensive execution has been abysmal all series, and frankly, that will likely not change. Any real change will come on offense, where Scott Brooks needs to invent new ways to spring loose Beal and Westbrook. Also, a more impactful Bertans would help the Wizards’ offense quite a bit.
In the end, Washington just doesn’t have what it takes to hang with Philadelphia. The Sixers are better across the board, in almost every possible way. That said, keep an eye on any last-second home run swings from the Wizards.