Section 215
Fansided

5 numbers to know about the Sixers’ first round matchup with Washington

By David Esser

Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Ish Smith (14) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 6, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) handles the ball against Washington Wizards guard Ish Smith (14) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sixers Joel Embiid
May 14, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) drives against Orlando Magic guard Dwayne Bacon (8) during the third quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

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On the flip side of this discussion, Joel Embiid has put up equally impressive numbers when playing against the Wizards this season. He averaged 30 points per game during the Sixers three-game regular season series with Washington, including a 38 point performance in game two. Running the offense through JoJo has obviously been a focal point in Doc Rivers’ offense this season, and I don’t expect that to change heading into the postseason.

While the Sixers have a few bodies to throw at Bradley Beal, the Wizards honestly have no-one capable of hanging with Embiid over the course of multiple games. Washington’s current center room consists of Daniel Gafford, Robin Lopez, and Alex Len.

Not great!

The Wizards are likely going to be sending all sorts of double and triple teams at Embiid in an attempt to slow him down this series, and that’s where the likes of Danny Green and Seth Curry should enter the fray. Both players should see plenty of open looks from beyond the arc if Washington is forced to collapse multiple defenders around Embiid.

Curry has had some solid success against Washington this season – getting that two-man game going between him and Embiid should be prioritized.