The Wizards started off the season two weeks ago with a loss to the Sixers (113-107) and since then, Washington has endured a five-game losing streak as well as a couple of games where the club flashed potential.
The team is 2-1 since Rui Hachimura returned to the lineup, including an impressive win over the Nets on Sunday. Getting Hachimura back was key, as the team needed to solidify its forward rotation, and the former No. 9 overall pick is averaging 14.3 points on 51.9 percent shooting in 26.0 minutes per contest.
Wizards Starters*
Sixers Starters*
- G Ben Simmons
- G Seth Curry
- F Danny Green
- F Tobias Harris
- C Joel Embiid
*projected
The Sixers are off to an Eastern Conference-best 6-1 record, though Joel Embiid believes the team should be 7-0.
Philadelphia’s only loss was to the Cavaliers, a game where Embiid sat out.
The Sixers lead the league in defensive rating, something fueled by Ben Simmons on the perimeter and a different approach than they had last year. Shake Milton described it as “team-oriented” during shootaround today. He also spoke of the challenges of containing Washington’s guards.
“They have good guards who can score from all over the place,” Milton told FortyEightMinutes and other media via zoom on Wednesday. “It starts with containing the ball.”
Washington sits ninth in the league in offensive rating, though they haven’t had a consistent rotation. Westbrook has missed two contests due to rest and Bertans just played 30 minutes for the first time this season over the weekend after starting off the year on a minutes restriction. Bertans saw just 20 minutes against the Sixers in the opener and Hachimura didn’t play in that contest.
Odds & More From Philadelphia
Line: Sixers -6.5 (-110)
Total: 233.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Sixers -255, Wizards +200
- The Sixers have defeated the Wizards three straight times, including a matchup in the NBA bubble. Washington’s last win was at Capital One Arena last season with Scott Brooks’ club upsetting the 7.5-point favorite Sixers 119-113.
- Only three teams have been worst than Washington on defense this season (Denver, Portland, Minnesota).
- Joel Embiid has at least 14 rebounds in six of his last seven games in Philadelphia.
- Russell Westbrook has suited up in five contests this season. He’s recorded a triple-double in four of them, falling five rebounds short of one on Sunday vs. the Nets.
- The Sixers have won 19-straight games at the Wells Fargo Center.
