We are going to see the Washington Wizards play for at least one more game in the playoffs after avoiding a sweep with a win in Game 4 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Will the Wizards force another game? Or will the Sixers send Washington home on Wednesday? Check out our preview of this game below.
At least the Wizards are not going to be swept in the first round by the Sixers. That much was ascertained after Washington scored a 122-114 life-extending win in Game 4 at home. Bradley Beal with 27 points, while Rui Hachimura had 20 points and 13 rebounds. The hope for Washington is that Hachimura will build on that performance and show up again in Game 5 with the same energy, especially with Davis Bertans ruled out for the rest of the series with a calf strain. Russell Westbrook is currently labeled questionable for Game 5 because of a right ankle sprain but you can bet the farm that it’s not going to stop Brodie from suiting up Wednesday night. Westbrook had 19 points, 21 rebounds, and 14 assists in 42 minutes in Game 4 with the same ailment. The Wizards could also be getting a huge break with Philly big man Joel Embiid in danger of missing Game 5 due to right knee soreness.
The Wizards are 6-1 against the spread in their last seven games as a road underdog.
The Sixers might be feeling inconvenienced by having to play another game in the first round, as the series against the Wizards looked as though it was headed to a sweep after three games. In any case, Philadelphia will at least be playing at home in Game 5 and finish the series there. The Sixers are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games. As mentioned earlier, Embiid could be out for Game 5, which means it’s possible that the Sixers will have veteran Dwight Howard as their starting center in Wednesday’s game. That would also mean Tobias Harris and Ben Simmons would have bigger loads to carry on offense, at least. Harris is leading the Sixers in the first round with 24.3 points on 50 percent shooting from the field, while Simmons is scoring 16.8 points, dropping 8.8 dimes, and grabbing 10.3 rebounds per game in the series. The Sixers are also shooting well from deep, which they can always rely on whenever Embiid is off the floor. The Sixers have made 38.7 percent of their threes over the last four games.
The Sixers are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games after failing to cover in the previous game.
