Sixers @ Wizards Preview: Hoping for a Wiz "Wit-Out"

The Sixers found themselves with a relatively short -- and probably considerably happier -- commute to the nation's capital after last night's 104-97 win at home against the Golden State Warriors.

In the second half of the team's first back-to-back in the month of March, the Sixers are looking to build on last night's strong second-half defensive performance by starting a new streak -- this time one with a winning record.

To do so, they'll have to counter a recent string of breakout performances by Wizards rookie Bradley Beal, who dropped a career-high 29 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in Friday night's loss to the Knicks. Beal is averaging 20.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists in his last five games.

But he isn't the only formidable guard presence for the Wizards.

Point guard John Wall appears to be emerging from his recent struggles, notching 16 points and six assists on Friday night.

Defending a pesky and athletic backcourt duo in Wall and Beal who have found a solid rhythm won't be an easy task for Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner.

The Sixers will likely need another set of solid offensive performances from Holiday and Turner to keep this game close.

One positive for the Sixers: Wizards Center Nene is listed as questionable for tomorrow's matchup due to a sore shoulder he suffered in Washington's game in Toronto on Feb. 25th.

But, particularly in this rollercoaster Sixers season, with the positive comes a negative.

Emeka Okafor (averaging 13.6 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per game in the team's last five contests) will likely start in place of the injured Nene.

Tonight may be a turning point for the Sixers -- if they can funnel last night's second-half performance into another solid performance tonight, it would be a great building block for the team's upcoming stretch, and keep some sliver of playoff hopes alive.

But would a loss at the hands of the 13th-ranked (Eastern Conference) Wizards tonight signify the end of the team's playoff hopes? Sound off in the comments section.

SIXERS PROBABLES

G - Jrue Holiday

G - Nick Young

F - Thaddeus Young

F - Evan Turner

C - Spencer Hawes

WIZARDS PROBABLES

G - John Wall

G - Bradley Beal

F - Chris Singleton

F - Martell Webster

C - Emeka Okafor

As always, for more analysis check out our partners in Washington over at Bullets Forever.