SB Nation Philly - 76ers Vs. Wizards: Sixers Lose To The Wizards In Washington, 97-76https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48987/philly-fave.png2012-03-30T21:43:14-04:00http://philly.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26794652012-03-30T21:43:14-04:002012-03-30T21:43:14-04:0076ers vs. Wizards: Philly Falls In Washington, 97-76
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> were defeated on the road in Washington DC by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Wizards</a> by a score of 97-76 on Friday night in the Verizon Center. This is the second loss for the Sixers in the last three games and gives them a record of 28-23, which puts them in seventh place in the Eastern Conference and in second place in the Atlantic Division. The Wizards now have a record of 12-39, which puts them in 14th place in the conference and in second-to-last place in the Southeastern Division.</p>
<p>The Sixers were led by Thaddeus Young and Lou Williams, who both came off the bench to score 14 points. Evan Turner added 11 points as a starter and Elton Brand added eight. The Wizards were led by Cartier Martin, who came off the bench to score 20 points. Jordan Crawford added 17 points while Nene added 16 and Kevin Seraphin came off the bench to chip in 14. </p>
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<th class="td-left"> <span>Final - 3.30.2012 </span> </th> <th>1</th> <th>2</th> <th>3</th> <th>4</th> <th>Total</th>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="loss"> <a href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a> </span></td>
<td>15</td>
<td>21</td>
<td>26</td>
<td>14</td>
<td class="highlight">76</td>
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<td class="td-name"><span class="win"> <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> </span></td>
<td>23</td>
<td>32</td>
<td>24</td>
<td>18</td>
<td class="highlight">97</td>
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<p class="foot clearfix"><span class="link-more"><span>Complete Coverage ></span></span></p>
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<p>The Sixers will look to bounce back on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET at home against the <a href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Hawks</a> while the Wizards will look to not suck two games in a row on Sunday in Toronto against the <a href="https://www.raptorshq.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Raptors</a>.</p>
<p>For more on the Sixers head to <a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/">Liberty Ballers</a>.</p>
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https://philly.sbnation.com/2012/3/30/2915428/76ers-vs-wizards-philly-falls-in-washington-97-76Jason Garrison2012-03-30T11:10:19-04:002012-03-30T11:10:19-04:0076ers Vs. Wizards Preview: Sixers Cling To Division Lead
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<img alt="March 29, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Washington 93-89. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dJlMxBQ89sltvnbSs0REJOton44=/0x144:617x555/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/6252453/20120329_jla_ay2_316.jpg" />
<figcaption>March 29, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Wizards point guard John Wall (2) brings the ball up court against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeated Washington 93-89. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>The Sixers host the Wizards on Friday, as they look to stay atop the Atlantic Division.</p> <p>Only 16 games remain in the lockout-shortened NBA season and the Philadelphia <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">76ers</a> sit atop the Atlantic Division. But they're not alone. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Celtics</a> and Sixers have identical 28-22 records, with the Sixers owning the tiebreaker, based on head-to-head meetings. Despite their identical records, one team is trending up, while the other is trending down.</p>
<p>The Celtics are 13-5 since the All-Star break and have won three straight.</p>
<p>The Sixers, on the other hand, are 8-13 since starting 20-9. They're coming off a blowout victory over the Cleveland Cavilers, and will look to win consecutive games for only the second time since their 20-9 start, when they host the lowly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> on Friday night. </p>
<p>At 11-39, the Wizards are the second worst team in the NBA, behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/teams/charlotte-bobcats">Bobcats</a>. As you can imagine, they rank pretty low in most statistical categories. They're the worst team in the league in assist rate. They're the second worst defensive rebounding team. And they rank in the bottom four in both offensive and defensive efficiency. </p>
<p>The Wizards have also been bitten by the injury bug, and will be without <span>Andray Blatche</span> and <span>Rashard Lewis</span> for Friday's contest. </p>
<p><span>Nene Hilario</span> has probably been the Wizards most productive player since being traded for <span>JaVale McGee</span>, and could cause the Sixers some problems on the interior, given their lack of capable post defenders.</p>
<p><span>John Wall</span> is insanely talented, but is still a relatively 'hit or miss' type guy from game-to-game at this point in his career. The lack of talent surrounding him certainly doesn't help, but he's always capable of going off. </p>
<p>For the Sixers, <span>Andre Iguodala</span> is questionable with knee tendonitis. He's missed the last two games, but <span>Jodie Meeks</span> has filled in nicely – he dropped a career-high (and season-high for a Sixer) 31 points, including seven threes – in the Sixers recent win over the Cavs.</p>
<p>This will be the fourth and final meeting between these two teams this, and with or without Iguodala the Sixers should be able to handle the Wizards with ease. They have beaten the Wizards by an average of 21 this season.</p>
<p>The Celtics are in Minnesota to play the T'Wolves on Friday.</p>
<p><i>For more on Sixers basketball, make sure to check out the SB Nation blog <a href="http://www.libertyballers.com/">Liberty Ballers</a>.</i></p>
https://philly.sbnation.com/philadelphia-76ers/2012/3/30/2913732/76ers-vs-wizards-preview-john-wall-evan-turner-neneJordan Sams