Sixers stay hot with 117-94 win over the Wizards

Momentum going into the All-Star break is a great thing, but it means nothing if you can’t get that energy back when play resumes. The Sixers proved that they are still on a roll tonight at the Wells Fargo Center as they defeated the lowly Washington Wizards 117-94. It could have been an easy letdown game but the Sixers clamped down in the 2nd half en route to the easy victory. The Sixers have now won 8 of their last 11 games.
   
The Sixers continue to get better and better as the season progresses. It has a lot to do with the faith the Sixers have in their head coach and the trust Collins puts on his young point guard Jrue Holiday. The 20-year old point guard is playing with remarkable poise. 

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“Let’s not forget this team was in the playoffs two years ago” Holiday said post game. A team that Holiday was not a part of but it shows the faith he has in his teammates and the confidence this young team has.  

Wizard’s rookie John Wall had 16 points in the first half but ended up finishing with only 21 points total. Due in large part to the full court press applied in the 2nd half by Jrue Holiday. The Sixers as a team have continued to play consistently sound defense.

Holiday was out to prove that he belonged in the same breath as the 1st overall pick. Night in and night out Holiday is improving as the Sixers floor general. Holiday finished with 20 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds.  

The Sixers as a team shot 51. 3% from the field and 47. 3% from 3 point range. In the last 41 games the Sixers are 25-16. The way this team is playing right now and the level that they are playing at they have the opportunity and the confidence to win every game.

The Sixers now are 28-29 which puts them at more wins this season than all of last year combined. The Sixers scored 34 points in the third quarter to the Wizards 15 which proved to be the big quarter that they needed. The Sixers had seven players in double figures proving that the break did not slow them down.

Thaddeus Young stressed the importance of staying in shape and in sync over the break in order to finish the season off strong.

“It’s very important; we had two hard days of practice. Get in the gym and keep the feel; we came back ready to go”

The Sixers bench played a huge role in tonight’s win with 4 guys playing 19 plus minutes. Thaddeus Young provided a double-double off the bench and continues to be a productive role player. Young had 18 points and 10 rebounds and has seemed to find his rhythm coming off the bench. Evan Turner did his part with 15 points and 8 rebounds.

Collins spoke of the significance of his bench players like Young and Evan Turner, “Guys know what I expect of them, and there is a trust factor with these guys.”

The Sixers look to reach .500 for the first time in a long time Friday night as the Detroit Pistons come to town. 



Steve Glick
BrotherlyLoveNation.com Writer