On to Philadelphia, better known as Philly aka the City of Brotherly Love. Home of the Liberty Bell, the Cheesesteak, and the delicious Pork Tenderloin sandwiched from Dinic’s at the Reading Terminal. Philly is a city of high expectations and they haven’t played up to theirs this season. Injuries to Paul George and Joel Embiid have stunted the growth of a team that many viewed as a contender in the Eastern Conference. While both teams are dealing with injuries, this is definitely a game where the Wizards should take advantage of the Sixers being without two key contributors. Let’s get into my three keys to victory.
Three keys to victory
#1 - Win the paint
The Wizards are 8th in blocks and 15th in rebounds. With Embiid out and Drummond day to day, this is a game where I expect Jonas Valanciunas and Alex Sarr to capitalize and dominate. Sarr should not only spread the floor and hit mid-range and three point looks, he should look to get active in the paint with rebounds and paint points. Look for JV to provide paint points and overall hustle. The wizards have to win the paint.
#2 - Attack the paint to open the three
Jordan Poole is day to day and will be a tip-off call but if he can’t go, look for Kyle Kuzma (if he’s ready to go) and Bilal Coulibaly to be aggressive. Attacking the basket, collapsing the defense, and utilizing shooters like Kispert and George should be the plan. Put pressure on the Sixers to have fast defensive switches.
#3 - Give yourself a chance on perimeter defense
The Wizards have been very bad at defending the perimeter and preventing good looks from three. Two factors can help the Wiz-kidz, closing out shooters and making faster defensive switches. If, and that’s a big if, if they do that, they will have a chance.
