The negative momentum of Washington and Danny Avdia continued tonight (between Sunday and Monday) with a fifth loss in six games – 112:93 in Philadelphia. Avdia played 24 minutes and recorded a weak performance that included 4 points (1 of 8 from the field, 0 of 2 from three, 2 of 2 from the penalty), 3 assists and 2 rebounds.
The Sixers dominated from start to finish, never trailing once and eventually celebrating their fifth straight victory. Joel Embiid excelled this time as well and finished with 34 points, 8 rebounds and 4 blocks, two days after erasing a 21-point deficit and hitting a winning basket against Portland.
Avdia once again presented his off-duty version, which in no way resembles the player who stood out in late January-early February. The Israeli scored his only field goal with a dunk on the ‘baseline’ in the second quarter and apart from that move he looked very rusty and hesitant in his actions. In the last nine games he is averaging less than 6 points per game on 32% from the field and 24% from three.
Embiid (14 points in the first quarter) took the lead 6:18 and since then the disappointing Wizards chased without success. Corey Kispert (25 points), the guest’s bright spot, recorded two rings as part of a 0:7 run in the second quarter and the difference decreased to three, 36:33. James Harden (18 points and 14 assists) responded with five straight and at the break the scoreboard showed 50:55 for Philly.
Tyrese Maxey closed the 2:10 run that opened the third quarter, the difference increased to 13 and remained in the 10th zone until the last quarter – where the hosts escaped to the 20th districts thanks to a strong defense and a number of momentum threes. At its peak the difference was 25 and the team from the capital of the United States dropped to a balance of 37:31, just like Indiana. Chicago opened a half-game gap in tenth place.
More details soon…
final from philly. #DCAboveAll | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/vp18vrkpDb
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) March 13, 2023