The first place Philadelphia 76ers look to bounce back from a tough loss to the New York Knicks Wednesday night against a league-worst Washington Wizards team tonight.
The Wizards are 1-9 on the season and have yet to win a game on the road (0-5). They're coming off an ugly loss to the Chicago Bulls – who were without star point guard Derrick Rose – in which they mustered only 64 points. They rank near the bottom of the NBA in: assist rate (29th), offensive rebound rate (24th), defensive rebound rate (30th), total rebound rate (30th) effective field goal percentage (30th), true shooting percentage (30th), and offensive efficiency (30th). The only categories they are somewhat serviceable in are defense and turnover rate.
Neither team has played since Wednesday so the strenuous lockout-shortened schedule should have no effect on either team.
Andray Blatche is doubtful for Friday's game with a sore right shoulder. His absence may be a good thing for the Wizards, however. Blatche has arguably had an overall negative effect on the Wizards this season and his replacement – Trevor Booker – has played well.
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