Roughly a quarter of the way through the 2023-24 season, the Washington Wizards (3-18) are headed to Philadelphia for another matchup with Joel Embiid and the 76ers (14-7). Here's everything you need to know.
WHERE: Wells Fargo Center (Philadelphia, PA)
WHEN: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: Monumental Sports Network
RADIO: Team 980 & The Wizards App
INJURY REPORT:
WIZARDS:
Delon Wright (left knee sprain -- out)
Ryan Rollins (right knee strain -- out)
Johnny Davis (left calf strain -- out)
Daniel Gafford (right hip contusion -- questionable)
Landry Shamet (right rib sprain -- out)
SIXERS:
Joel Embiid (left knee soreness -- questionable)
JORDAN POOLE FINDING THE OPENINGS
When any player adjusts to a new role in the NBA, there are natural ebbs and flows in production. That's no different for Jordan Poole, who is adjusting to life as the primary guard on the opposing team's scouting report. While working through the ups and downs of the season, Poole has found success against the Sixers. One of his best games of the season came less than a week ago against Philly.
Poole scored a team-high 23 points and was efficient from all over the court, shooting 10-of-16 from the field and 3-of-5 from deep. He was finding open space on the perimeter, moving without the ball, dashing to the rim, and playing within the motion of the offense. This is a matchup Poole should be able to exploit again. As talented as the Sixers are, they struggle to contain opposing ball handlers at the point of attack. Keep an eye on Poole as he looks to replicate his success against Philly.
ESTABLISHING A STRONG PAINT PRESENCE
When it comes to scoring in the paint, the Wizards and Sixers are two of the top teams in the league. The Wizards average the second-most paint points per game at 57.4, while the Sixers are ninth, averaging 53 of their own. It was clear in the previous two matchups between these teams that scoring in the paint was a priority. The Wizards averaged 62 points in the paint in those two contests, while the Sixers averaged 65. It's safe to expect that to be another area of focus on Monday night.
What's unique about these teams is how they get their points in the paint. The Sixers rely on Embiid, the reigning MVP, to assert his dominance down low. He's elite in the pick-and-roll, post-ups, and isolations -- most of which result in him getting a bucket or getting to the foul line. The Wizards get their paint points through ball movement, cutting, and transition offense. Sometimes it's Deni Avdija grabbing rebounds and getting to the rim on a fastbreak. Sometimes it's Kyle Kuzma attacking a smaller defender in the halfcourt. Sometimes it's Daniel Gafford rolling to the rim for a lob.
Regardless of how these teams get to their spots, you can expect lots of paint touches and lots of paint points.
CONTAINING TYRESE MAXEY
Slightly overshadowed by the brilliance of Embiid, Tyrese Maxey is quietly putting up All-NBA numbers this season. He's averaging 27 points and seven assists per game on .465/.399/.896 shooting splits. Embiid is the engine that makes the Sixers go, but Maxey is what turns their vehicle into a dynamic sports car. Picking him up at the point of attack, keeping him in check in transition, closing out on his three-point looks, and making him work on defense will be critical for the Wizards.