Sixers finally back home; host Wall, Wizards

The Philadelphia 76ers are back in the City of Brotherly Love and will play host to the Washington Wizards Wednesday night from Wells Fargo Center.

The Sixers went 3-5 on an eight-game road trip and will play five of their next six games in front of the home crowd. They are 8-6 as the host this season and sustained an 84-77 loss in New Orleans on Monday.

Elton Brand had 14 points and 10 rebounds, Andres Nocioni finished with 13 points and both Marreese Speights and Jrue Holiday contributed 12 points and six rebounds for the shorthanded Sixers, who were without center Spencer Hawes and guard Andre Iguodala. Iguodala is arguably Philly's best defender and his
absence enabled the Hornets to come out on top.

"With Chris Paul, he basically can get you a good shot anytime down the floor because of his ability to play pick-and-roll and do the things he does," Sixers coach Doug Collins said. "He's such a great player."

Hawes is questionable for tonight and Iguodala is expected to miss at least two weeks of action. On Friday Chicago will visit the Sixers, who will head to Detroit before returning for three more home games versus Indiana, Milwaukee and Charlotte.

Washington is still searching for its first road win (0-16) of the season and has lost 12 of 14 games overall, including Saturday's 92-81 setback to the Hornets at the Verizon Center.

Nick Young had a game-best 24 points and rookie John Wall added 12 and 10 assists for the Wizards, whose winless road record to start the season is the worst since Chicago began the 2001-02 campaign with 18 straight losses.

"We came out ready to play," said Wizards forward Rashard Lewis, who had 14 points in a losing effort. "But we let them back in the game."

Young leads the team with 14 games of 20 or more points. Over his last six games versus the 76ers, Young has averaged 18.6 points per game. Wall has averaged 27.0 points, 9.5 assists and 5.0 steals per game, while shooting .516 from the field in two wins versus Philadelphia this season.

The Wizards are unbeaten in the past five matchups with the 76ers. Washington, however, has dropped 11 of 15 visits to south Philly.