The Philadelphia 76ers needed a win in the worst way. They struggled to score against a simple zone defense and it cost them in their previous two games, both losses, and they needed to find a way to push through.
On Saturday, they found a way as they were able to earn a 125-108 win over the Washington Wizards at home and breakthrough against the zone defense that the Wizards used. Philadelphia shot 14-for-33 from deep and they shot 52.1% from the floor overall.
Josh Richardson, who had 21 points, was happy with how Philadelphia attacked the zone defense. It can be as simple as getting some shots to drop and moving the ball a bit better.
“I think the ball was moving better,” said Richardson. “I think that we were more aggressive, we were trusting ourselves, I don’t think we were second-guessing like we were the last couple of games and the ball was just popping. We were screening bodies and we were making it tough on them.”
Defensively, the Sixers were much better than before as well. They held Washington to 40.9% shooting and they only shot 7-for-31 from deep. Bradley Beal had his usual big night, but everybody else was held relatively in check.
Richardson said on Friday that their effort wasn’t there on the defensive end after the loss to the Dallas Mavericks, but Saturday was a step in the right direction.
“I thought our effort was a little better,” he added. “I think that we still have steps that we can take, but I think it was a baby step in the right direction.”
Josh Richardson on the team’s defensive effort and their success against the zone #Sixers pic.twitter.com/JBozIn63Mh
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) December 22, 2019
After finally getting back on track, the Sixers hit the road again as they will head to the Motor City to face the Detroit Pistons. [lawrence-related id=21846,21829,21791]