Philly Sports Jabronis
By Doug Ammon, Sixers.com
The last time the Sixers and Wizards shared the same hardwood, the result was a 35-point loss for Philadelphia. On Friday night, the Sixers found redemption.
With just under two minutes left in regulation, Philadelphia clung to a tenuous five-point lead. It was the same margin they had taken into halftime, and while they were outscored 19-16 in the third quarter, they continued to battle through the fourth, never relinquishing their lead. The game ended 89-81 in the Sixers’ favor, as Nerlens Noel went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line in the game’s final 30 seconds to ice it for Philadelphia.
Friday provided a much-needed victory for the Sixers, who were riding a five-game losing skid heading into the contest. The fact that the streak was ended against a team that gave the Sixers one of their worst losses of the season made it that much sweeter.
In typical Sixers fashion, the win was a group effort. Four of the team’s starters scored in double figures, and the squad hit 12 shots from behind the arc. This was Philadelphia’s fourth straight game hitting double-digits in made threes, tying their longest streak this season.
Nerlens Noel broke away from the pack, with a team-high 14 points and 13 rebounds. It was Noel’s eighth double-double of the season, which puts him four ahead of any other rookie in the NBA. While he was able to showcase his improving passing ability (three assists) and touch, it was his signature slams around the basket and play on the defensive end (three blocks and three steals) that defined his night.
“I think it’s the responsibility he feels after trades were made, he’s embraced more of an important role,” said head coach Brett Brown after the win. “When he looks around he sees we need him. Right before our eyes, we’re seeing a young kid grow, Nerlens is moving, without a doubt, in the right direction.”
Robert Covington, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Jason Richardson all scored at least 10 points, while Ish Smith dished out a team-high six assists off the bench.
It also appears that Thomas Robinson will not let his opportunity to earn playing time opportunity in Philadelphia pass him by. In his two appearances thus far, he has logged 13 minutes in both contests. Against the Bucks on Wednesday, he went for seven points and six rebounds, and against the Wizards he finished with nine points and nine rebounds.
John Wall led the way for the Wizards with a game high-21 points and 11 assists despite being held to 7-for-26 shooting. Marcin Gortat cleaned up the glass for D.C., as he tallied 14 rebounds to go along with nine points.
Noel Reaches 100 Blocks
At the 7:39 mark of the first quarter, Nerlens Noel recorded his 100th block of the season with a monster rejection against Nene in the paint. By hitting the century mark on swats, he joined Anthony Davis, Bismack Biyombo, and Taj Gibson as the only rookies in the past five seasons to do so. He finished the game with three blocks in all.
Inside the Numbers: 4-for-7
The 34-year-old Jason Richardson has given the Sixers a huge lift from beyond the arc since making his season debut last week. Against the Wizards, he went 4-for-7 from distance, finishing with 12 points.
Up Next
The Sixers will close out the week in Indiana on Sunday night. Tip against the Pacers is scheduled for 6pm (EST).
