Sixers look to rebound vs. surging Wizards
The Philadelphia 76ers look to bounce back from arguably their worst performance of the season Wednesday when the Washington Wizards come to town.
The Sixers fell to the Nuggets 125-124 in overtime on Monday despite having virtually their entire team healthy and in uniform. Denver, meanwhile, was without seven of its top eight scorers, including all five starters.
Philadelphia had won its previous three games but had no answers for role players such as Jalen Pickett, Peyton Watson and Zeke Nnaji.
"We just didn't guard them and keep the ball in front of us well enough all night," Sixers coach Nick Nurse said.
Tyrese Maxey scored 28 points but came up short in two clutch situations. At the end of regulation, Maxey lost the ball before missing a heave at the buzzer. Then at the conclusion of overtime, Maxey attempted an off-balance scoop shot that rimmed off.
"I think I'm just learning what I want to get into," Maxey said. "What I want to (do), how I want to play, where I want guys, and that's the biggest thing that I'm learning."
Joel Embiid, who led Philadelphia with 32 points and 10 rebounds, continues to have faith in the Sixers' All-Star guard.
"I think (Maxey) has the right mindset to make those plays, and we're still going to trust him to make those plays," Embiid said.
Next up for Maxey, Embiid and company is a matchup with a Washington team that has won five of its last seven games. Previously, the Wizards had won just five of their first 28 contests.
That said, the Wizards also nearly suffered their worst loss of the season Tuesday. Washington topped the Orlando Magic 120-112 even though the team watched its 26-point lead cut to 107-105 before holding on.
"I think you realize that these games are long and you just want to keep doing the things that got you there," said Washington coach Brian Keefe. "Sometimes you forget how you got there. And I think we realized the way we got there with our defense. We gave up a big scoring stretch, and I think we relaxed a bit defensively."
Six players scored in double figures for the Wizards, led by McCollum's 27 points. The veteran guard's name has been in the rumor mill this week as Washington continues to be one of the potential landing spots for Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young.
Alex Sarr had 23 points, eight rebounds and four blocks against Orlando. He has registered at least 19 points and four blocks in four of his last six games.
"Yeah, I feel like I'm better than my rookie season," Sarr said. "Having more impact on defense and offense, so it's definitely good to see."
This is the third of four meetings this season. Philadelphia won 139-134 in overtime on Oct. 28 and 121-102 on Dec. 2.
Maxey averaged 37 points in the two wins, while Sarr notched 31 points, 11 rebounds and five assists in the first matchup before sitting out the second game with an adductor injury.