3 takeaways from the 76ers’ Game 2 rout over Wizards

The Philadelphia 76ers easily routed the Washington Wizards in Game 2 on Wednesday by the score of 120-95.

The Washington Wizards gave the Philadelphia 76ers a hell of a fight in Game 1 on Sunday, but it was the top-seed in the Eastern Conference who emerged victorious. On Wednesday night, the 76ers assured everyone they were not going to keep the Wizards in this series. Simply put, it was not pretty for any Wizards fans who tuned in for the big game.

The 76ers defeated the Wizards 120-95 to take a 2-0 series lead as they head to Washington for the next two games. Philadelphia showed why they are considered one of the favorites to represent the Eastern Conference and why Washington still has a ways to go before contending for an NBA title. Here are three takeaways from a decisive Game 2 victory by the Sixers.

3. Bradley Beal needs more help

When looking at the Wizards’ struggles in the first round, you can’t point the finger at Bradley Beal. In Game 1, Beal dropped 33 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the team’s 125-118 loss. The star did everything in his power on Wednesday night to give Washington a fighting chance, scoring 33 points while shooting 14-for-28 from the field. But he did not receive any help from his teammates, including Russell Westbrook.

Washington’s offseason acquisition was ineffective on the court in terms of shooting. On 10 shots, Westbrook only made two of them, and he was only 6-for-10 from the charity stripe. The guard did secure a double-double with 11 rebounds, but he only had 10 points before he exited with an apparent ankle injury.

As for the other players in the starting lineup, Rui Hachimura scored 11, Alex Len had 6 and Raul Neto had 4. Washington’s bench of nine players scored 31 points. In a tougher Eastern Conference than in years past, Beal can not lead the Wizards through the playoffs by himself. He needs more help, and fast.

2. It looks like this will be a quick series

The Wizards should be commended for their end of the regular season run to the playoffs. After losing to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the play-in, they blew out the Indiana Pacers to secure the eighth and final seed in the Eastern Conference. But, we all knew what the end result was going to be when they faced 76ers.

If Game 2 showed us anything, it is that Washington is not capable of stopping Philadelphia’s Big 3.

76ers guard Ben Simmons was automatic with the ball in his hands. He scored 22 points while shooting 11-for-15 from the field, tallying 9 rebounds and 8 assists. The Wizards had no answers for him.

As for Embiid, he dropped 22 points of his own, making three shots from the 3-point line on four attempts. Then there was Tobias Harris, who recorded 19 points (9-for-13 shooting from the field) and 9 rebounds on the night.

Overall, the 76ers’ stars shot 70 percent from the field. Washington couldn’t stop them. Which is why this series appears destined for a sweep.

1. Philadelphia, the forced turnover machines

When it comes to defense, the 76ers easily have the advantage over the Wizards. Washington on the night recorded 3 steals and 2 blocks, which further backs up the previous takeaway. Philadelphia, on the other hand, recorded 10 steals and 14 blocks!

Simmons was one of the aggressors on defense in the starting lineup, as he recorded 2 steals and 1 block in 29 minutes of playing time. But he had nothing on Matisse Thybulle, who tallied 4 steals and 5 blocks off the bench.

If you needed video evidence, just look at what both Simmons and Thybulle did late in the third quarter.

https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1397717540575629312

With this effort in Game 2, you can see why the Wizards failed to put adequate points on the scoreboard. If the 76ers keep this up, they will easily advance to the second round of the playoffs.