Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Sixers and Wizards clash in nation's capital

Two teams looking to get star players back in the lineup clash this evening in the nation's capital, as the Washington Wizards play host to the Philadelphia 76ers at the Verizon Center.

Wizards No. 1 overall draft pick John Wall has missed the past four games with an injured left foot and is averaging a team-best 18.1 points and 9.8 assists this season. He hasn't played since a Nov. 13 loss at Chicago and beat up on the Sixers for 29 points, 13 assists and nine steals in a win earlier this month in DC.

Wall experienced some soreness in practice this week and will be a game-time decision, according to Wizards coach Flip Saunders. Saunders also said Wall went through the entire practice and did some scrimmaging, and will need clearance from the team's medical staff in order to play.

Washington has lost four of its last six games and is coming off Sunday's 115-110 overtime setback at Detroit. Richard Hamilton scored 12 of the Pistons' 13 overtime points, while Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee both had 20 points for Washington, which fell to 0-6 on the road this season. McGee also
grabbed a career-high 16 boards and is averaging 11.8 rebounds per game in the last four contests.

"These are the ones that hurt. The blowouts don't hurt but these are the ones you should have won," said Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas, who had 19 points and a career-high 16 assists in a losing cause.

Philadelphia put the brakes on a five-game losing streak with Friday's 90-79 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Thaddeus Young registered a season-high 23 points off the bench and reserve Lou Williams shook off a shoulder injury to score 19 points for the 76ers, who won for just the third time this season.

Andres Nocioni provided 12 points in a winning effort. The Sixers bench outscored Milwaukee, 47-32.

"We got past this one, now we've got to go on to the next one with our heads on straight," Young said. "We can't live off one win, we've got to get more, more, more."

Young and Company hope to get star forward and defensive specialist Andre Iguodala back tonight. Iguodala's missed three straight games with a strained Achilles tendon and is averaging 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

The Sixers are just 1-6 as the visitor this season and will begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Wizards, Raptors and Heat. Iguodala, Nocioni (foot) and three-point threat Jason Kapono (personal) are all listed as questionable for tonight's contest.

Philadelphia rookie Evan Turner, the No. 2 overall selection in June's draft, had nine points and six rebounds in the first meeting with Wall and the Wizards. Washington has won four in a row against the Sixers after losing the previous four matchups.

The 76ers have lost three straight and 10 of 13 trips to the Verizon Center.

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