After Tobias Harris took over Game 1 and Ben Simmons shined in Game 2, it was Joel Embiid’s turn to dominate. And the Cameroon center did just that, scoring 25 of his playoff career-high 36 points in the first half, as the Philadelphia 76ers ran through the Washington Wizards in Saturday’s Game 3, 132-103.
Embiid did just about everything, shooting 14-of-18 from the field, including 3-of-4 from three. Harris added 20 points and 13 rebounds off 8-of-14 shooting. Simmons had a modest 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Wizards just didn’t look comfortable even in their home arena. Russell Westbrook was hampered by an ankle injury that forced him out of Game 2 early in the fourth. During Saturday’s game, the Wizards star point guard received treatment in the locker room at times when he wasn’t on the court.
Still Westbrook recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in 34 minutes.
Beal wasn’t on fire as much as he was in Game 2. He finished with 25 points on 10-of-26 shooting that included a woeful 1-of-8 from three.
The loss puts Washington on the brink of elimination. Philadelphia has taken a commanding 3-0 lead. After a close fight in Game 1, the 76ers have enforced their will to the tune of back-to-back blowout wins.
Now, the Wizards have their backs against the wall going into Monday’s Game 4. They’ll have to figure out something different if they are to avoid the four-game sweep out of the first round of the playoffs. Here are five takeaways from Saturday’s beat down:
1. Bring out the brooms
The Wizards are down to their final heartbeat on the 2020-21 NBA season. After climbing out of a 17-32 hole with an improbable 17-6 finish to the season and a play-in win to get into the playoffs, the Wizards are just about done one round into the postseason.
The Wizards are just outmatched by the 76ers. They’re being beaten inside, in the mid-range game and on the perimeter. Head coach Scott Brooks hands seem tied with a roster that isn’t as talented as Philadelphia’s to begin with. Throw in the nicks and injuries to Westbrook, Beal, Raul Neto and now Ish Smith, it’s going to be a short stay in the playoffs for the Wizards.
There’s no question, the Wizards will fight in Game 4. But, it seems inevitable that Monday will be the end of Washington’s season right on their home court.
2. Russell Westbrook’s best game of playoffs still wasn’t enough
Westbrook gutted out Game 3. It’s unclear the extent of his ankle injury, but it’s clear that it’s hampering the 2017 NBA MVP. Still, he managed to pull off his 11th career playoff triple-double. That’s to go with his 184 career regular season triple-doubles.
Still, “Mr. Triple-Double” wasn’t enough for his team to get a win. The game was never close. And once again critics of Westbrook who harp on him “stat-padding” have another case to point at.
Westbrook shot 50% from the field with 9-of-18 shooting. He even knocked down 3-of-6 from three. He was the most effective Wizards player from three. Yet, his team trailed by 14 at halftime for the second straight game against the 76ers. Then ran out of fight in the second half and lost by 29.
His triple-double didn’t impact or shape the outcome of the game. That’s a hard pill to swallow for an ultra-competitive player such as Westbrook. He gave it his all with a bummed ankle, but much like Beal in Game 2, there wasn’t enough support.
3. Put out a Missing Person’s Report on Davis Bertans
Davis Bertans got the start in Game 3 over Neto. And immediately, Scott Brooks was probably regretting the decision.
It was understandable why, Brooks opted for Bertans to start. The three-guard lineup he deployed in the first two games wasn’t a good mesh to the size of the 76ers. Also getting him out on the floor early could’ve been the boost Bertans needed to get going in these playoffs.
Unfortunately, Bertans proved to not be the answer either. He shot a dreadful 2-of-6 from the field, including 1-of-5 from three. He finished with eight points in 31 minutes, which was eight more points than he scored in Game 2. Still, it’s disappointing for a player the Wizards committed $80 million to for five years this past offseason.
In this series, Bertans is shooting 35% from the field and 29.4% from three. That includes his scoreless effort of 0-of-4 shooting (all threes) in Game 2.
His struggles this year goes right along with his career playoff struggles.
Now, Bertans isn’t the lone reason why the Wizards are down 0-3 in the series. But, when the team is paying him $16 million per year to do one job, and he isn’t doing it, his shortcomings are going to be laminated.
4. Wizards losing the series on the perimeter
The Wizards can’t shoot or defend the three. It’s as simple as that to why they’re on the brink of elimination against the 76ers.
In Game 3, the 76ers made 17-of-33 for 51.5% from three. In contrast, the Wizards made 8-of-35 for 22.9% from three. That’s a 27-point difference. In a game that turned into a 29-point loss, it’s not difficult to see the most glaring reason to the loss.
It goes back to Bertans’ struggles, but he is not alone. Beal was 1-of-8 from deep. Neto missed all six of his threes. The Wizards’ bench was 1-of-13 collectively on treys.
While everyone but Rui Hachimura and Westbrook struggled from three, everyone on the 76ers seemed to be hitting behind the arc.
Danny Green made 5-of-9. Seth Curry was 3-of-6. Embiid was 3-of-4. Often times the threes were wide open as the Wizards are trying to combat the inside force of Simmons, Embiid and Harris.
If the Wizards wants to continue their season beyond Monday, Washington will have to do more than to hope for a bad shooting night from the 76ers.
5. Time for Daniel Gafford to start
Yes, Scott Brooks and Daniel Gafford agree Gafford’s conditioning is a factor into his virtual minutes restriction. But, the season is on the line and it’s time Gafford starts.
His presence is immediately felt when he enters the game off the bench. So it may be in the Wizards’ best interest to have his presence on the court early. Set a tone against Embiid. It could go a long way into shaping out the game. Just a thought.
Gafford is outplaying the other Wizards centers, Robin Lopez and Alex Len. For the series, Gafford is averaging 13 points and six rebounds on 83.3% shooting in 20.8 minutes per game. Len and Lopez combined are averaging 11.4 points and 4.0 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. For a Game 4 elimination game, one hopes Brooks leans more on Gafford for a glimmer of hope.
