3 observations after Embiid hangs 48 on Wizards, Sixers win fifth
3 observations after Embiid hangs 48 on Wizards, Sixers win fifth straight originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Joel Embiid’s presence was again not required for the fourth quarter.
He was awfully productive over the first three, though.
Embiid played 31 minutes Monday night vs. the Wizards at Wells Fargo Center and had 48 points on 17-for-25 shooting, 11 rebounds and six assists in a 146-128 Sixers victory.
The team is now 5-1 and on a five-game winning streak ahead of a Wednesday night matchup with the Celtics to complete their homestand.
Tyrese Maxey posted 22 points, a career-high 11 assists and zero turnovers. Tobias Harris added 18 points, five rebounds and five assists.
Kyle Kuzma’s 28 points led the Wizards. Jordan Poole scored 23 points for Washington, who dropped to 1-5.
Here are observations on the Sixers’ blowout win Monday night:
Embiid’s frustrating start not a problem at all
Embiid opened just 1 for 5 from the floor.
He objected to what appeared to be multiple missed calls on Daniel Gafford, including a clear rake across the arms as the shot clock expired. Gafford was on his game immediately as a roller, rim-runner and offensive rebounder, too. His third dunk of the night lifted Washington to an 8-2 lead. Gafford was generally stellar against Embiid in the first quarter. Incredibly, he recorded five blocks in under seven minutes.
Harris’ aggression in both the half court and open floor was valuable for the Sixers. He hit two first-quarter jumpers on Kuzma, drew four foul shots, and continued to seem plenty dangerous as a grab-it-and-go, early-offense player. Harris scored 10 of the Sixers’ first 17 points.
Washington’s defense sure does not seem formidable, but the Sixers’ collective pace, passing and decisiveness were all positive and contributed to the impression that the Wizards were an outgunned, low-energy team.
Of course, it also speaks to Embiid’s immense, routine dominance that he can experience an extended stretch of…
