NBA basketball returned to the Verizon Center on Friday night, as the Washington Wizards hosted the Philadelphia 76ers in what was the first of two preseason games against Philly before the regular season tips off next weekend. The Sixers cruised to a 103-78 win on surprisingly hot shooting from the floor for the first game of the year. The Sixers shot over 50% from the field, and hit 47% from behind the arc. Lou Williams was instant offense for Philly, who had six players in double figures. Williams led all scorers with 19 points.
Contrasting with the Sixers' hot shooting was Washington, who shot just 33% from the field and hit only three of 15 three-point attempts. Andray Blatche was the only player in double figures, finishing with 18 points and going a perfect eight for eight from the charity stripe. John Wall was just three of 12 from the field, but had a highlight crossover and dunk from the right wing. With it being the first preseason game of the year, the Wizards were unsurprisingly sloppy with the ball, committing twenty turnovers - six of which were given away by Wall.
Fortunately, it's still the preseason and the 25 point loss is meaningless in the standings. But Washington has just one more exhibition, Tuesday in Philadelphia, before the games start to count next weekend.
We'll be following this game, and the other preseason game that the Wizards will be playing against the 76ers in this StoryStream, but for more on everything Wizards, head over to Bullets Forever.