Embiid, Harden help 76ers cruise past Wizards 112-93

Washington Wizards' Taj Gibson, left, tries to hang onto a... — Washington Wizards' Taj Gibson, left, tries to hang onto a loose ball against Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Slocum

By The Associated PressMarch 12, 2023

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid scored 34 points, James Harden had 18 points and 14 assists and the Philadelphia 76ers cruised to a wire-to-wire 112-93 win over the fading Washington Wizards on Sunday night.

Tobias Harris added 11 points and De'Anthony Melton 10 for the 76ers (45-22), who have won five in a row to keep pressure on Milwaukee and Boston for the top two seeds in a crowded Eastern Conference.

Washington (31-37) got a career-high 25 points from Corey Kispert and 13 from Bradley Beal, but dropped its fifth game in its last six. The Wizards also fell out of a tie for the 10th and final spot in the Eastern Conference's play-in tournament.

Philadelphia's defense had struggled despite its winning ways in recent weeks. In six games during the month of March, the Sixers had allowed 119.2 points a game and 41% from behind the 3-point line.

That wasn't the case against Washington, which could not generate anything beyond the 3-point arc. The Wizards shot 6 for 26 from beyond the arc.

Embiid and Harden did their entire damage in three quarters, sitting out the fourth as stretching the Philadelphia lead to 81-69. Embiid added eight rebounds and four assists.

After that, the Sixers' bench widened the lead to 25 thanks to Melton, Shake Milton and Paul Reed contributing on the offensive end before Wes Unseld Jr. had his starters sent to the bench late.

Washington Wizards' Daniel Gafford, center, goes up for a shot... — Washington Wizards' Daniel Gafford, center, goes up for a shot between Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, and P.J. Tucker during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, March 12, 2023, in Philadelphia. Credit: AP/Matt Slocum

TIP-INS

Wizards: Porzingis entered the night with three solid games against the Sixers this year, averaging 28.7 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Foul trouble limited Porzingis on Sunday night, picking up his fourth early in the third quarter. He finished with nine points on 4-of-15 shooting. It was his second-lowest point total this season.

76ers: Jalen McDaniels left in the second quarter with a right hip contusion. Since coming to Philadelphia, McDaniels has averaged 6.1 points in 16 minutes per game in 12 games.

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