Wednesday night was a battle between a desperate playoff team trying to steady themselves out and a team that whose season is going no where and frankly want to lose more than win. In other words, the Wizards hosted the 76ers on Wednesday night in an April basketball game. The game followed script, as the Sixers never really were in the game, falling 106-93.
The score was not that close, however. Philadelphia trailed by 10 after 12 minutes, and at the halftime mark they found themselves down 65-42. The deficit would swell to 34 before the third quarter ended.
They saved their best for when not necessary, and put together a nice fourth quarter, albeit against many Wizards back ups. Ish Smith shined for the Sixers, shooting 11-17, good for 23 points. Isaiah Canaan and Hollis Thompson helped the Sixers make a dent in the deficit, though they never did get seriously within reach. The two of them came off the bench and drained four three-pointers each.
Nerlens Noel recorded his fifth double-double in his last six. However, the story in the paint Wednesday night was Marcin Gortat, who had a game for his career. The seventh year pro out of Poland scored 23 points and added 14 rebounds in 30 minutes.
He was one of six Wizards to reach double figures, as much of the scoring came off of John Wall’s 17 assists. The Wizards were essentially in a revenge game after the Sixers beat the playoff-bound team about a month ago at Wells Fargo Center.
Philadelphia will rest until Saturday night, when they head to Charlotte to face the Hornets.
