Woeful Wizards try to surprise playoff-seeking 76ers
The Washington Wizards host the Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday night, trying to avoid a season series sweep while the Sixers continue their late-season playoff push.
Philadelphia (41-34) has won six of its last nine games, and is at full strength with the return of Paul George from his 25-game suspension and Tyrese Maxey from a finger injury.
The Sixers sit seventh in the Eastern Conference, 1 1/2 games behind Toronto for fifth place entering Tuesday's play. Their 119-109 loss to the host Miami Heat on Monday night could be painful down the line. Miami is also in the range of teams jockeying for position in the Eastern Conference and now owns the tiebreaker over the Sixers based on winning the season series.
"This was kind of a tough night," Sixers coach Nick Nurse after the loss. "I thought we started slow in each half and we just weren't making shots. We had good shots that just didn't go in. I certainly like the way we fought back."
Philly led by four in the fourth quarter before the Heat closed the game on a 16-2 run to pull away.
George has averaged 24.3 points since returning from his suspension for violating the terms of the league's anti-drug program, and had 19 against Miami. Joel Embiid, who later said he was under the weather, had 26 points and seven rebounds after taking 25 shots, making 10.
"A pretty good number of shots, right? 25," said Nurse about Embiid's night. "I think he took good shots most of the time. He had a bunch of them rim out or roll out. We kind of gave him that good rest period there. I thought he'd have a good stretch. He came in and hit two or three in a row, but then missed two or three in a row, but shots we want him taking."
Washington (17-58) has lost three in a row and 19 of its last 20 games and is tied with Indiana for the worst record in the NBA. Trae Young hasn't played for the Wizards since March 16 due to a quad injury. Alex Sarr (toe) and Bilal Coulibaly (heel) each missed Monday night's 120-101 loss to the Lakers. Sarr also missed the previous game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
On the bright side for Washington, Bub Carrington, 20, recorded his 700th career assist, joining Luka Doncic and LaMelo Ball as the only players in NBA history with over 700 assists and more than 250 three-pointers before turning 21.
Washington continues to roll out a young lineup. Against the Lakers, the Wizards' starting five combined for 12 years of NBA experience and 218 starts. Despite all of that, Wizards coach Brian Keefe has maintained a positive message.
"I love our group. They come to work every day. They want to get better. We haven't had the team success we wanted, but we have had a lot of growth from a lot of our guys that will really help us going forward," said Keefe on Monday. "There are still lessons to be learned and I think we will take advantage in the next seven games."
Philadelphia has won all three previous meetings this season, including 139-134 in overtime on Oct. 28. The other wins were by 19 and 21 points. The Sixers have won 10 of the last 11 meetings overall.