Regular Season Game 60
76ers (32-25) at Wizards (34-25)
February 25, 2018 at 8:00 PM Capital One Arena | Washington, D.C.
TV: ESPN, NBCSW
Radio: 1500 AM
Odds: WSH -1.5
(Photo: Bill Streicher via USA Today Sports)
What to Watch:
Tight Standings
After the Washington Wizards took an embarrassing defeat to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday night, they are planning to regroup against the Philadelphia 76ers. This game is vital for Washington because of the seeding currently in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards currently holds the four seed. However, they are tied with the fifth ranked Indiana Pacers. In addition, they are only one full game in front of Philadelphia.
The last time these two teams met earlier this month, Philadelphia defeated Washington, 115-102. Though, Bradley Beal shot 54 percent from the field and chimed in with 30 points. Nevertheless, Beal is going to need help from the second unit in order for the Wizards to get past Philadelphia. It is worth mentioning, the Sixers are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
Key Matchup:
Wizards vs. Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
Embiid and Simmons have been an unstoppable force as of late. They are on a seven-game winning streak and have not shown any signs of slowing down. The Wizards as a team will have to dig deep inside themselves and find some defense. If not, this will be a long game for Washington, and it will not end well in the favor of the Wizards. Someone must set the tone for Washington and with John Wall still out that responsibility lies on the shoulders of Bradley Beal.
X-Factor:
Kelly Oubre Jr.
On Friday night, Oubre spoke a lot of truth about the Wizards’ woes. In short, this team beat themselves. At the same time, they need production from the second unit, and that starts with Oubre. When he is going and knocking down his shots and impacting the defense by creating offense, Washington looks like a contender. Earlier in the week, Shaq said on the TNT broadcast that Washington will go as far as Oubre takes them. That is accurate. Oubre must come out and impact this game.
Fun Factor:
JJ Redick
Redick is known as a lights out shooters and he’s proven that so far after the All-Star break. He has a combined 30 points over the last two games and is averaging almost 17 points per game this season. If Washington comes out defense-less against the 76ers, rest assure that Redick will have his way behind the arc.
Prediction:
Washington will defeat Philadelphia. The term "must-win" is cliche, but it is fitting for this situation. For the remainder of the season, there is no room for error for the Wizards. Losing two or three games in a row, especially with such a tough schedule coming up, can be the difference between making the postseason and having an early exit in April. Like they did earlier in the week against Cleveland, the Wizards need to make a statement win against the Sixers. And, they will do just that.