Trust The Losses: Wizards 103, Sixers 94

Needing a win to continue their likely feckless foray into this year's playoff chase, the Washington Wizards needed a 2nd half comeback to defeat the Sixers 103-94 on Rights To Ricky Sanchez Podcast Night at the Sixers.

The Sixers were led in scoring by Jahlil Okafor who managed 21 points on 9-13 shooting. It gets said numerous times that while Okafor has his deficiencies he is an incredible scorer down low and had himself a productive and efficient game on the offensive side of the court despite ending the game a -5. Also providing an offensive spark tonight for the Sixers was Nik Stauskas, who in 28 minutes was 4-6 from the field including 3-5 from beyond the arc. Stauskas's three-point shot with a couple minutes left and the Sixers down 10 almost willed the Sixers back into the game but alas, a missed Thompson three killed the rally and any chance of a late comeback.

Hyping up the game, the Washington Wizards broadcast rather boldly declared that the Wizards were taking "Hollis Thompson and the 76ers." I'll be kind and assume they were referencing the fact Thompson played for nearby Georgetown but holy god why would they even want to promote him as such. Iverson. Ewing. Mutombo. Thompson. That's, uh, no because Hollis had what can best be described as a shock horror game on both ends of the court. 1-7 from the field, 1-5 from 3, with overall abysmal play. Thompson does love monopoly though, so he's got that going for him once the basketball thing stops working out shortly.

The Sixers led the game by six with 2:20 left in the 3rd quarter, but it would all go downhill from there. Starting at that point the Wizards sprung a 13-0 run over the three minutes of playing time that the Sixers were never able to bounce back from. It started with a John Wall lay-up and was capped by a three-point shot from Jared Dudley. From that point onward the best the Sixers could do is narrow the deficit by four.

Despite a sub-stellar performance for 48 minutes, the key bounces and breaks went Washington's way down the stretch in addition to Wall's 23 points on 9-19 shooting, 11 assists, and eight rebounds putting him just two rebounds away from a triple double on the evening.

Nerlens Noel left the game late in the fourth quarter with a leg injury. He seemed to get up fine though, but no word as of yet on the severity of the injury or any possible timetable for return. For the sake of the Sixers and the sake of fun, hopefully it's not serious and he can return to action soon.

The main attraction for many Sixers fans occurred in the stands with Rights To Ricky Sanchez Night. Throughout the night chants of "TRUST THE PRO-CESS" "AN-AL-Y-TICS" and "GROW THE OR-CHARD" from the LB/RTRS crowd could be heard throughout the arena and on the television broadcast to the delight of some, the confusion of many, and the horror of the people sitting directly in front of them.

Up next for the Sixers they continue their quest of three games in four days with a Sunday game in Orlando before heading back north to D.C. to play these same Wizards again Monday night. To see the Wizards perspective of this game, check out Bullets Forever.