Wizards at 76ers
The Washington Wizards have won a season-best five straight games despite the loss of their top player and look to continue the streak when they visit the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday. Washington's solid stretch began when five-time All-Star John Wall went down with a knee injury that will keep him sidelined until mid-March.
The Wizards have been thriving offensively without Wall, averaging 115.8 points during his absence while shooting a solid 54.9 percent during Monday's 111-102 victory over Indiana. "John is such a key and valuable piece to our team. He draws so much attention at what he brings to both ends of the floor, that's kind of irreplaceable," Washington All-Star Bradley Beal told reporters after Monday's win. "It's definitely a huge hit to us having him out, but we've been having some success. We've figured it out a little bit." Philadelphia is tied with Detroit for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and is beginning a five-game homestand that leads into the All-Star break. The 76ers have dropped four of their last five games, including a 100-92 setback against the Pacers on Saturday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT, NBCS Washington Plus
ABOUT THE WIZARDS (31-22): Beal scored 21 points against the Pacers and he has recorded at least 20 in 16 of his last 20 games while enjoying a stellar campaign. He received plenty of help from his teammates as he was one of eight players (four starters, four reserves) to score in double digits against Indiana. Backup guard Kelly Oubre Jr. was a solid contributor with 15 points and seven rebounds following a three-game stretch during which he was a porous 7-for-25 from the field.
ABOUT THE 76ERS (25-25): Saturday's game marked the first time in Joel Embiid's career that he played in back-to-back games, and he recorded 24 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth consecutive double-double and 25th of the season. Coach Brett Brown believed it was a big step for his All-Star center, who missed his first two seasons due to foot injuries and was limited to 31 games last season due to a knee ailment. "I think it's only positive, the more he's with us and playing with us, that's a good thing," Brown told reporters. "I feel like we're going to start to thrive more and more in a positive way because we're now playing with him more."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The 76ers have won the last three home matchups, including a 118-113 victory on Nov. 29.
2. Washington PF Markieff Morris has scored in double digits in six straight games, averaging 17.2 points during that stretch.
3. Philadelphia G/F Ben Simmons has registered 20 double-doubles, scoring 20 or more points on 16 occasions.