Wall Too Much for Scrappy Sixers

By Sean Kennedy (@PhillyFastBreak)

Washington 116, Philadelphia 108 – Box Score

It’s kind of sad that the “good losses” are such a breath of fresh air for Sixers fans right now, but such is life in Philadelphia these days. After a string of just ugly, hard-to-watch defeats, the Sixers remained fiercely competitive in Monday night’s game right down to the final minutes. Ultimately, they had no answer for the speed and explosiveness around the rim of All-Star John Wall, who went off for 37 points on 13-26 shooting, to go along with 7 assists. Wall was pivotal in the 16-0 Wizards run midway through the fourth quarter that swung a 7-point Sixers lead to a 9-point Washington advantage.

The other guy who crushed the Sixers, both during that surge and all night long, was Marcin Gortat. The Polish Hammer had 18 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks. Gortat’s 7 offensive rebounds were one more than were collected by the entire Sixers team. He was joined in the frontcourt by relative newcomer Markieff Morris, who received the start and had his best game as a member of the Wizards. Morris finished with 16 points 13 rebounds, and 5 assists, and knocked down a dagger jumper from the top of the key to make it a two-possession game inside the final minute.

For the Sixers, Ish Smith might not have been able to slow down John Wall, but he was back to being the clutch version of himself from late December/early January on the offensive end. Smith went off for 25 points and 7 assists, while also tying a career-high with 3 made threes on 6 assists. His play helped Philadelphia to their best quarter of the season, out-scoring Washington 34-19 in the third to take a 3-point lead heading into the final quarter.

The Sixers needed Smith to help fill the scoring void with Jahlil Okafor out with a bruised shin; then, when Nerlens Noel got in early foul trouble, Brett Brown turned to little-used veteran forward Carl Landry. Landry showed off that ready-at-any-moment veteran savvy, recording 15 points on 6-8 shooting in just 18 minutes of action. His 9 first quarter points were a big reason the Sixers were able to hand around early when it looked like the Wizards might be on the way to another rout against Philadelphia.

Ultimately, these are the games Sixers fans can handle down the stretch of this placeholder season. With the loss Monday, Philadelphia officially became the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs. Which is fine, that’s part of the plan. Just make sure the plan is still watchable entertainment along the way.

Other Game Notes:

• Nerlens Noel attempted and made his first career three-pointer. Who knew he was the stretch four the team was looking for all along? Look at this sweet stroke.

https://twitter.com/GM_Hoops/status/704483801657905154

• Elton Brand still hasn’t played a single minute in his current stint with the Sixers, but that didn’t stop him from getting into the box score for the first time Monday night. While arguing from the bench, the Old School Chevy was assessed a technical foul. Veteran move to stick up for your teammates like that, Elton.