AP Photo/Reduce Wass
After notching the No. 8 seed by the play-in match, Washington’s postseason trip appears to be like headed for an early discontinue after a 132-103 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers in Sport 3 of their Jap Conference first-round sequence on Saturday. No team in NBA history has near succor from a 3-0 sequence deficit.
The Wizards will strive to be the first starting with Sport 4 in Washington on Monday evening.
Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were electrical all as soon as more within the victory, combing for 50 facets because the Sixers circulation one purchase some distance from a first-round sweep.
Famous Performers
Joel Embiid, PF, Philadelphia 76ers: 36 facets, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
Ben Simmons, PG, Philadelphia 76ers: 14 facets, 9 assists, 5 rebounds
Russell Westbrook, PG, Washington Wizards: 26 facets, 12 rebounds, 10 assists
Bradley Beal, SG, Washington Wizards: 25 facets, 6 rebounds, 3 assists
Embiid Drops Profession-High In Postseason
No subject hope the Wizards had of reasserting themselves at dwelling against the Sixers evaporated about as soon because the ball was tipped on Saturday. That was mostly as a consequence of the play of Embiid, who confirmed all as soon as more why he’s an MVP finalist this year with a occupation-finest performance within the playoffs.
Embiid notched 25 facets within the first half of alone sooner than ending with 36 for the evening while taking pictures 14-of-18 from the flooring in 28 minutes. The Sixers didn’t even need him within the fourth quarter, in any other case those numbers undoubtedly would’ve been elevated.
However it wasn’t factual the sort Embiid’s photographs were falling rather a lot as where he was launching them from.
The comprehensive man was ready to accept to virtually any feature he wanted on the flooring with ease, backing down Wizards ahead Robin Lopez on more than one times as he drilled 5 photographs from mid-vary, dropped in any other six buckets within the paint and went 3-of-4 from at the succor of the arc.
His Sixers teammates joined in, especially from long vary. Philadelphia made 17 three-pointers in comparison to factual eight by the Wizards. That helped the Sixers notch no longer lower than 36 facets in every of the first three quarters and trip away with a road victory to circulation one purchase some distance from a first-round sweep.
Saturday was also the third straight game Philly scored no longer lower than 120 facets as all 5 starters notched no longer lower than 14 facets. By the discontinue of the evening, Sixers head coach Doc Rivers was ready to empty his bench and affords his begins masses of relaxation sooner than Sport 4.
Wizards On The Brink
No subject magic the Wizards harnessed to warfare their intention from final within the Jap Conference to the No. 8 seed appears to be like to have trip out against the Sixers. These gorgeous vibes weren’t the true thing missing in Washington, on the other hand, as any semblance of the Wizards’ defense proved onerous to search out on Saturday.
Washington allowed the Sixers to shoot an fabulous 58.6 percent from the realm and 51.5 percent on three-pointers while getting absolutely clobbered on the boards. Philadelphia out-rebounded the Wizards 51-41 total, but 44-28 on the defensive glass in affirm.
No longer even any other triple-double from Russell Westbrook may perchance perchance originate up for Washington’s lack of solutions on defense, to convey itsy-bitsy of the Wizards taking pictures 39.6 percent from the flooring.
Three years after Washington was final within the postseason, it appears to be like it be headed for any other early exit. The Wizards’ final playoff appearance ended with a first-round loss to the Toronto Raptors in six video games.
Washington hasn’t progressed to the 2nd round for the reason that 2016-17 season. It would no longer seem 2021 will discontinue that scurry.
No longer unless head coach Scott Brooks can retool his team’s defense sooner than Sport 4. If no longer, he will have to plead his case to the entrance place of work if he hopes to retain his job.
What’s Subsequent
Sport 4 of the Jap Conference Quarterfinal is made up our minds for Monday at 7 p.m. ET on TNT.
This article would perchance be updated to invent more recordsdata on this story as it turns into readily accessible.
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