Wizards need to push the tempo

AIn the first-half, it seemed like the Wizards had the upper-hand due to them dictating the pace of play and having the 76ers on their heels, but in the second-half, the 76ers made an adjustment and were able to take control of the game with no response from the Wizards. 

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Playing great in the first-half is key for the Wizards in this series, but they need to find a way to keep momentum heading into halftime and into the start of the third quarter. In Game 1, they led by one at halftime and they held the lead for most of the third quarter, but then, Philadelphia went on a 16-4 run to take the lead and they were able to control the pace of the game. 

Washington is a team that likes to play fast and get out in transition for fast-break opportunities but in the second-half against the 76ers, they were slowed down and forced to play a little bit more in the half-court than they did in the first-half. 

If Washington is going to win some games in this series and make it competitive, then they are going to have to control the pace of play and push the tempo on offense. Russell Westbrook did a good job in doing so, but he was oftentimes picked up at halfcourt and slowed down. 

Other guys like Rui Hachimura, Raul Neto and Ish Smith need to be able to be “running mates” alongside Westbrook and Beal in transition in this series. The Wizards played with the #1 pace in the league during the regular season and for them to be successful in the playoffs, they need to control the pace of play.