Balanced Wizards too much for 76ers, Joel Embiid
Washington Wizards forward Montrezl Harrell (6) dunks the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during the second half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports
Montrezl Harrell scored 18 points, Kyle Kuzma added 15 points and 16 rebounds and the host Washington Wizards defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 117-98 on Monday.
Thomas Bryant contributed 15 points, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 14 and Bradley Beal had 13 for the Wizards. Rui Hachimura and Corey Kispert had 11 apiece.
Article continues after this advertisementThe short-handed Sixers played without several key injured players including Matisse Thybulle, Danny Green and Shake Milton.
Joel Embiid led Philadelphia with 32 points and eight rebounds. It was the 11th consecutive road game that Embiid produced at least 30 points.
The squad celebrated Joseph Blair's first NBA win as a head coach with a perfect surprise! 😂#DCAboveAll pic.twitter.com/WwNc0OFKrh
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) January 17, 2022
Tyrese Maxey added 18 points for the Sixers, who had their two-game winning streak snapped.
The Wizards jumped out to a 60-49 lead late in the second quarter. After Maxey missed a short jumper from the corner, Beal responded with 1 of 2 free throws for a 12-point advantage with 2:29 left.
The Sixers made a late run and closed within 61-55 at halftime thanks in large part to Embiid’s 16 points.
Beal, who was cleared the COVID-19 protocol before the game, paced the Wizards with 12 first-half points.
When Caldwell-Pope dropped in a 3-pointer from the wing with 8:41 remaining in the third, the Wizards extended their advantage to 72-59.
Embiid answered with a trey to slice the deficit to 10, but Washington still led 91-83 at the end of the third.
Maxey scored on the Sixers’ first possession of the fourth, but the Wizards scored on three straight trips for a 97-85 lead with 10:14 to go.
Harrell’s long jumper and a free throw capped an 11-2 run and extended Washington’s advantage to 102-87 with 7:25 left.
The Sixers continued to struggle on the offensive end and the Wizards capitalized as Harrell converted a three-point play with 5:14 remaining for a 107-90 lead.
Washington had little trouble from there as it cruised to the win.
