PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers returned home on Wednesday to finish a home-and-home series with the Washington Wizards and keep their winning streak going. Philadelphia ended their four-game trip by winning the final three games.
However, the Sixers weren’t on the same page defensively and were victimized by Washington stars Bradley Beal and Kristaps Porzingis. Beal had 29 points on 11-for-17 shooting and Porzingis had 30 on 9-for-13 shooting.
The Sixers didn’t have Joel Embiid or De’Anthony Melton. Their absence obviously played a part in the struggles, but the Sixers defeated the Wizards on Monday and they held Beal in check during that one.
“It’s hard to beat anybody twice,” said veteran PJ Tucker. “I don’t care what anybody say. I don’t care who it is in this league. You know they’re gonna come back. Their pride kicks in. They’re gonna play hard, they’re gonna give you a little guy. That’s just how it is. I don’t care what team it is. It’s hard to win two in a row.”
The Sixers had a chance in the second half when they scored 39 points in the third quarter. Their offense was humming and they knocked down eight 3s in that quarter, but they gave up 34 points to the Wizards. Beal had 14 of those 34 points.
“Defense wasn’t great,” added Tucker. “We had our chances. We just didn’t capitalize on it.”
The Sixers look to bounce back when they take on the New York Knicks on Friday at home.
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