Passing eye test; Joel Embiid’s latest MVP-worthy outing, P.J. Tucker’s impact without scoring
The ’76 are looking more and more like contenders.
Joel Embiid continues to put together MVP-worthy performances. And people need to stop slapping PJ Tucker for not scoring.
Those three things stood out in the 76ers’ 112-93 win over the Washington Wizards Sunday night at the Wells Fargo Center.
Passing the eye test
The third-ranked Eastern Conference Sixers (45-22) are three games behind the first-ranked Milwaukee Bucks with 15 games remaining in the regular season.
The Sixers are winners of five straight games and 11 of their last 14.
In the past, Sunday’s matchup would have been one they were bound to lose. That’s because the Sixers had a knack for downplaying opponents. And the Wizards (31-37) tied with the Indiana Pacers for 11th place in conference standings.
But this time, the Sixers did what competing teams should do with struggling squads.
They upped their intensity and opened the second half with a 10-2 run and never looked back. They ended up leading 80-67 with 2 minutes and 9 seconds left in the quarter. Then the Sixers went on another run early in the fourth quarter. That one, a 17-6 run, gave them a 98-75 cushion with 7:28 to play. 1:16 later, the Sixers extended their lead to 25 points.
“We’re starting to feel more comfortable just knowing who’s out there and what we’re trying to accomplish [on] both ends of the ball,” said James Harden. “We did a really good job defensively, switching physically and limiting a shot. And offensively spread and dribble through the ground, put pressure on the rim and fire shots. So it was just beautiful basketball.”
The Sixers average 125.8 points on 52.2% shooting (45.8% three-point shooting) during their five-game winning streak.
MVP-worthy performance
Embiid’s dominance on both sides of the floor could be seen.
The six-time All-Star finished the game with a high of 34 points and four blocks in 31 minutes and 11 seconds. With the game secured, Embiid sat out the fourth quarter. But that came after he had 12 of 21 shots, 10 of 12 free throws and eight rebounds, four assists and a steal.
As the league’s top scorer with 33.4 points per game, Embiid has excelled on offense all season. Since the All-Star break, however, he has also consistently dominated on defense.
» READ MORE: Sixers’ Joel Embiid dominates both sides of the pitch and should dethrone Nikola Jokić as MVP
“Healthier,” he said of his defensive consistency. “It helps a lot. And we get to the point during the season where you have to get everything on point, both offensively and defensively.
“In the past, my defense has always been at a different level from the regular season to the playoffs, so it’s just a matter of trying to build it.”
Embiid is sixth in the league in blocks at 1.6 per game.
Tucker’s influence
Sunday was the 19th game this season in which Tucker didn’t score. But before you criticize the forward, know this: The Sixers are 15-4 when he’s scoreless.
Tucker provides intangibles that affect a game without scoring. Against the Wizards, his solid defense against 7-4 power forward Kristaps Porzingis was tremendous.
» READ MORE: Sixers’ Joel Embiid dominates both sides of the pitch and should dethrone Nikola Jokić as MVP
Porzingis was held to nine points in 4-for-15 shooting. He entered the competition with an average of 23.2 points.
“PJ does that,” said coach Doc Rivers. “He can get up from under you. He has great hands.”
Tucker had six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 21:26. The 37-year-old did not attempt a shot.
Best and worst awards
Best performance: You might as well call this the Joe Embiid Award. That’s because Emboid it keeps winning. He gets it for his two-way dominance that night.
Worst performance: I had to give that up Porzingis. He was held at his second-lowest total points of the season. Porzingis had seven points against the Sacramento Kings on December 23.
Best Defense: Embiid gets that. His four blocks are tied for his third most in a game this season.
Worst Stats: That’s okay The magician’s three-point shooting. They only made 6 out of 26 threes.
Best Stats: This goes to them Sixers holds Washington at 93 points. This was the 13th time this season that they managed to keep an opponent below 100 points. They are 12-1 in these games.
Best of the Best: With 18 points and 14 assists Harden recorded his 31st point-assist double-double of the season. That ties him with Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain (during the 1967-68 season) and Maurice Cheeks (1985-86) for most single-season point assist doubles in franchise history.