Wizards 0-1 vs Sixers 1-0
When: Wednesday, May 26th, at 7p.m.
Where: Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA
TV: NBATV, NBA League Pass / Radio: WFED 1500 AM
Injury
Wizards: N/A
Sixers: N/A
Wizards -
118.0 - points per game
125.0 - points against
55.7 - Field Goal %
Sixers -
125.0 - points per game
118.0 - points against
49.5 - Field Goal %
Keep an eye on:
Turnovers: has been an issue all season and in a game where Washington was right there with a chance to take the lead multiple times throughout the game, turnovers, specifically from the Wizards star backcourt Russell Westbrook and Brad Beal, prevented that from happening. Westbrook and Beal combined for twelve of Washington's sixteen turnovers. They have to take care of the ball and not give Philadelphia extra chances to beat them.
Russell Westbrook/ Rui Hachimura: both have to step it up on both ends. Westbrook as always put up numbers (16 points, 14 assists) but was fairly quiet in Washington's game one loss to Philadelphia. The combination of Ben Simmons and Danny Green wore him down as the game progressed and they kept Westbrook from getting in rhythm all game.
Yes it was his first playoff game but Hachimura has to grow up fast if Washington is to make this series more competitive. Sixers forward Tobias Harris (37 points) had his way with Hachimura, especially in the first half getting to his spots in the mid-range, ultimately hitting 15-29 from the field. While Hachimura was efficient from the field (5-8 FG), he wasn't aggressive enough, clearly overwhelmed by the offensive barrage from Harris. When Hachimura is aggressive, Washington is a much better team and more difficult to stop.
Look for a bounce back game from both Russ and Rui tonight.
Keep Attacking Embiid: simple strategy right? Not so easy to apply. Washington (like everyone else in the NBA ), has no answer for Joel Embiid. Embiid is a force inside on both ends, a three level scorer and underrated passer at 7'0, 280. Long night for anyone attempting to stop him. Washington did a good job of attacking him early and he picked up his second foul with 6:28 left in the first quarter. The score was 14-6 Philadelphia. With Embiid out due to foul trouble, Washington finished the first quarter on a 22-13 run to take a 28-27 lead. Now it was a game. That wouldn't have been possible without them attacking Embiid early and often in the first quarter. Washington needs to continue this strategy or Embiid will cause hell inside. While limited to 30 minutes in game one, Embiid still finished with 30 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists on 9-16 shooting from the field and a ridiculous 12-13 from the charity stripe. Attack and don't stop until the game is over.