The Washington Wizards had control of this game from start to finish as they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 106-93. Marcin Gortat led the Wizards with 23 points and 14 rebounds as Washington had the lead for the entire game.
Gortat recorded his 20th double-double of the season Wednesday night. He was very efficient as he went 10-of-11 from the field, the only miss coming from an alley-oop attempt. Bradley Beal added 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out five assists. John Wall racked up his 38th double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 assists.
Washington had six players in double-figures tonight. Otto Porter was placed in the starting lineup as Paul Pierce was given the night off for rest. Porter played 38 minutes and scored 15 points while grabbing seven rebounds and two steals. Drew Gooden and Kevin Seraphin came off the bench with 10 points apiece. Kris Humphries returned tonight after missing 16 straight games with a groin injury and scored six points.
Ish Smith led the Sixers tonight with 23 points on 11-of-17 shooting. Nerlens Noel added a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Canaan and Hollis Thompson combined to score 34 points off the bench; each of them drained four three-pointers.
The Wizards came out of the gates energized and focus, and quickly led the Sixers 13-4. By the end of the first half Washington led Philadelphia, 65-42. The Wizards shot 69 percent from the field in the first half, including 78 percent (14-of-18) in the second quarter, while racking up 24 assists (33 for the game). Washington kept their pace up in the third quarter and at one point led by 34 towards the end of the quarter. The Wizards reserves played sloppy basketball in the fourth as the Sixers cut the lead to 15, 100-85. The starters returned and quickly gained control of the game as they came away victorious 106-93.
Washington (42-33) clinched a playoff spot Monday, their second-straight season reaching the postseason. They began the night three games behind the Toronto Raptors who hold down the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia (18-58) holds down the second-worst record in the East, and has the third-worst record in the league.
The Wizards will play the New York Knicks Friday night at home at 7:00 PM EST. Philadelphia will try to end their four-game losing streak as they face the Charlotte Hornets Saturday night on the road at 7:00 PM EST.