As preseason closes, some flaws exposed
PHILADELPHIA >> Just as the 76ers were about to roll through the preseason in championship-level style, they were reminded Friday that they are not without flaws.
During a 112-93 loss to the Washington Wizards in their preseason finale, the Sixers showed little skill at lengthy shots, missed the point-guard values of the absent Ben Simmons and rarely moved with precision at the defensive end.
With that, they would finish the exhibition season at 4-1, point toward their regular-season opener against visiting Boston Wednesday, and own a fresh list of problems they need to solve.
“We all knew there were things we could get better at,” said Tobias Harris, who collected 13 points and nine rebounds. “But tonight, we saw that early. In the regular season, teams are going to be coming for us and try to prove themselves against us. So we have to match their energy.”
With Simmons resting a sore back for a second consecutive game, Josh Richardson started at the point and appeared tentative if not out of place, shooting 1-for-5 with two assists. As the Sixers had it scheduled for load-management purposes, Richardson played only in the first half. Trey Burke was the primary lead guard in the final 24 minutes. Raul Neto missed the game with a hamstring injury.
Though Brett Brown had indicated he would take the game as a virtual dress rehearsal for the Celtics game, that plan was scrapped when Simmons was scratched. The other starters played substantial minutes, but Joel Embiid was a step behind all night at the defensive end, drawing five fouls and playing to a minus-20 despite scoring a teamhigh 17 points.
With Washington (3-2) often going to a zone, the Sixers shot 7-for-27 from threepoint range. Without a recognized long-distance threat, they were 51-for-161 in the preseason.
Zhaire Smith provided
12 strong minutes, shooting
2-for-3 from the arc and scoring 12 points.
The Wizards benefitted from the Sixers’ reluctance to move on defense and shot
16-for-37 from three-point range. Jordan McRae scored
17 points. Shake Milton shot
4-for-7 and had 10 points. “I don’t read too much into preseason about anything,” Brown said. “I don’t. What we did against China or whomever, I’ll put that over there.”