PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers had a very tall task when they hosted the Washington Wizards on Wednesday after a four-game road trip. Emphasis on the word tall.
The Sixers played the Wizards on Monday without Joel Embiid and they picked up a win. On Wednesday, the 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis went to work.
Porzingis had 30 points on 9-for-13 shooting, nine rebounds and three blocks as the Wizards knocked off the Sixers, 121-111. Without Embiid in the paint, Porzingis just had a field day rising over the much smaller PJ Tucker and others who tried to defend him.
After the win, Porzingis discussed how he had success without Embiid.
“I don’t have to waste all that energy fighting a guy that’s 100 pounds heavier than me,” Porzingis laughed. “So it’s, of course, better for me, but I have to play against PJ Tucker or some guard that’s quick so I have to expend that energy in a different way. Trying to keep up with those smaller guys.”
Those smaller guys found little success defending Porzingis. They tried being physical with him and push him out of the paint, but when a guy has that much of a size advantage, there isn’t much a team can do.
“I mean, sometimes, he literally just put the ball over his head and shot it,” said Tyrese Maxey. “So just got to get the ball out of his hands, try not to let them catch the ball, and work extremely hard to do that. Easier said than done, but you have to be physical with him and try to push him away from the basket.”
For his part, Porzingis wants the big fella back out there. He misses competing against Embiid.
“Me and Joel, I like playing against him,” Porzingis added. “There’s some advantages on his side, of course, and there’s some advantages on my side and so that matchup is always interesting. I hope he gets back healthy soon.”
The Sixers look to get back on track on Friday when they host the New York Knicks.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
[listicle id=70401]
[lawrence-related id=70395,70390,70369]