With Nikola Vucevic and Spencer Hawes out, the Sixers needed a contribution from Elton Brand, even if just the ability to eat up a few minutes in the Sixers thinning front court rotation.
Not only were the Sixers able to get 29 minutes out of Elton Brand, who was a game-time with gastroenteritis, but he was able to ignite the Sixers early. Brand had 11 points in the first 8 minutes of the game, outscoring the Wizards during that stretch as the Sixers built a 19 point first quarter lead. That lead would swell to 30 at half time in a game the Sixers would utterly dominate from start to finish.
The Sixers held on in the second half to defeat the Wizards 103-83.
The Sixers led the Wizards 62-32 at the half, with the Sixers bench (27 points) nearly outscoring the Wizards entire team (32). Thaddeus Young led the charge with 12 points at the half on 5-6 shooting, with Evan Turner (7 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals) providing a burst as well. Young finished the game with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. With Louis Williams (14 points) and local product Lavoy Allen (10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block) coming on strong in the second half, having a stellar game in his first major run in the NBA. Allen, a second round pick in last years draft, had played a total of 6 minutes heading into the game. The bench totaled 45 points, giving the Sixers a huge lift considering their depleted front court.
In the end, it was the veteran duo Elton Brand and Andre Iguodala who propelled the Sixers while the game was still relevant.
Iguodala had 9 first half assists with zero turnovers, igniting the fast break and getting open looks for Brand and Jodie Meeks (15 points on 9 shots, 5 rebounds, 3 three pointers made). Jrue Holiday also had a good game, with 17 points (8-15 from the field), 4 assists and only 1 turnover.
There's really not a whole lot to analyze here, as it was a blow-out almost from the beginning, so I'll leave you with a couple of thoughts and amazing anecdotes from the game.
- The Sixers had 30 assists on 43 field goals made, while committing only 6 turnovers. A 5-to-1 assist to turnover ratio? That will make Doug Collins smile every time
- JaVale McGee had 2 points and 2 rebounds in 20 minutes. He scored 23 points along with 18 rebounds and 5 blocks in their previous game against the Sixers.
- Remember how well John Wall was playing? 13 points on 11 shots along with 4 turnovers. As well as Jrue played offensively, this was his biggest impact on the game. He was reckless to start the game, and that hurt the Wizards.
- This game not being competitive after the first quarter probably prevented Iguodala (7 points, 7 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 turnover) from getting a triple double. He still played minutes, but he wasn't pressing for his shot offensively.
- It's great seeing Jrue and Jodie making shots. Not only for its effect in the half court, but Meeks in transition is a joy to watch.
- The Sixers have won their three games against the Wizards by a total of 64 points. They have one more at Washington in late March.