3 observations after Sixers steamroll Wizards from the jump in

3 observations after Sixers steamroll Wizards from the jump in 45-point win originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Sixers won’t mind that their fourth quarter Monday night was devoid of drama.

They handled the Wizards very decisively before the fourth, steamrolling to a 146-101 win at Wells Fargo Center.

Joel Embiid had 34 points, 10 rebounds and six assists in 30 minutes. Over his 25 minutes, Tyrese Maxey posted 24 points and six assists.

Kyle Kuzma was the 3-19 Wizards’ leading scorer with 21 points. Five Wizards were sidelined, including center Daniel Gafford (right hip contusion).

Embiid played after having been listed as questionable with left knee soreness. Asked postgame about his knee, Embiid simply said, “I’m good.”

Now 15-7 and on a three-game winning streak, the Sixers will play the Pistons on Wednesday night in Detroit.

Here are observations on their blowout victory over Washington:

An immediate flood of three-pointers 

The Sixers’ jumpers were all wayward to begin their game Wednesday at Capital One Arena. They started that narrow win 0 for 13 from three-point range.

Monday was much different; the Sixers made long-distance shots on each of their first four possessions. Maxey drained three of them, lifting his three-point percentage for the season comfortably over 40. Tobias Harris, who’d gone 2 for his last 17 from three, knocked down the other.

The Wizards looked like a team near the bottom of the standings on both ends of the ball. They conceded open jumpers, struggled to gain traction in half-court offense and appeared very deflated once Maxey hit a couple of shots and the Sixers’ lead swelled to double digits. After the Wizards turned to zone defense, Embiid drilled a foul-line jumper that put the Sixers up 19-2.

The Sixers’ second unit continued to shred Washington’s zone. Kelly Oubre Jr. made a catch-and-shoot wing jumper, Patrick Beverley sunk a trio of threes late in the first quarter, and the Sixers piled up 43 points in…