By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)
Washington 99, Philadelphia 94 – Box Score
With most of the basketball world turning its attention to the opening day of the NCAA tournament, the Sixers would have to do something pretty remarkable to get even the diehard fans to take notice of their happenings Thursday night. The team’s proposed solution was trying to set the stage for an epic comeback victory.
First step: create a huge deficit. Check. The Sixers couldn’t get any shots to fall in the first half, or for most of the game. They finished the evening just 6-33 from three. With John Wall finding his teammates (he recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 13 rebounds, and 14 assists) and Marcin Gortat finishing on the interior (16 points and 13 rebounds), the Wizards built a lead as large as 24 points in the third quarter.
Second step: close the gap. Check again. Washington greatly aided Philadelphia in this endeavor, as the Wizards turned the ball over 23 times as a time, including 16 after halftime. For all the popcorn stats he put up, John Wall also turned the ball over 9 times and shot just 4-17 from the field. It certainly wasn’t the shining performance his postgame “player of the game” graphic would have you believe.
Behind a strong two-way performance from Nerlens Noel (14 points, 16 rebounds, 7 steals) and some scoring in spurts from Ish Smith (game-high 20 points and 7 assists), the Sixers chopped away at the deficit. Eventually, a 13-0 run in the fourth quarter tied the game at 82.
Final Step: finish the job. Ah, there’s the part where the un-clutch Sixers reared their ugly head again. Down one with 26 seconds left, Jerami Grant was at the line with a chance to go ahead. He missed both free throws. Then, after Marcus Thornton missed his second free throw, Philadelphia allowed Washington to grab the offensive rebound ad John Wall would make both free throws to make it a 2-possession.
The Sixers even had another chance to tie thanks to a three from Hollis Thompson (15 points), who was remarkably clutch in the final two minutes. However, Isaiah Canaan’s game-tying attempt from behind the arc was no good, and Philadelphia was doomed to fall to 9-58.
The Sixers will be right back at it Friday night against the Thunder. Something tells me Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook won’t be quite as generous in letting Philadelphia back into the game at all.
Other Game Notes:
- As mentioned, Jerami Grant was back in the lineup, and showed no ill effects after missing a couple games in the league’s concussion protocol. He recorded his usual 3 blocks, and even received some calls for a change in his bull-like forays to the rim, attempting 14 free throws. Now, he just needs to make them when it counts.
- With his 14 point, 16 rebound, 7 steal line, Noel joined Hakeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley, Fat Lever, and Michael Cage as the only players in history to hit those marks.
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