The Sixers (9-58) will open up a three-game homestand when they host the Washington Wizards (32-35) at the Wells Fargo Center on Thursday night (7 p.m./CSN).
Let’s take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Wounded wings
Bojan Bogdanovic? Yes, Bojan Bogdanovic.
Who saw that coming? (If you did, we would love your prediction for the next Powerball numbers.)
The last time out, the Sixers were lit up for a career-high 44 points by Bogdanovic in a 131-114 loss to the Brooklyn Nets. The Croatian set a Nets record for the Barclays Center by hitting 17 of 27 shots (63.0 percent), including 4 of 9 (44.4 percent) from three-point range.
The Sixers tried using a handful of different players to defend Bogdanovic, but with key wing defenders Jerami Grant and Robert Covington still in the league’s concussion protocol, nothing seemed to work.
“I think a large part is he’s just a big wing and we had a hard time matching up,” Sixers head coach Brett Brown said. “I feel like we missed the matchup of Jerami maybe on him or Robert Covington on him where we sort of went smaller. The biggest wing we had was Hollis (Thompson). We ran out of some bodies on matchups with him. But it shouldn’t take away from the great game that he had.”
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The Sixers’ lack of perimeter stoppers only contributed to a bigger overall defensive problem that saw the team allow a season high for points while letting the Nets connect on 52.2 percent from the field, score 60 points in the paint and take the rebounding battle, 60-49.
2. Watch out for the Wall
Even with a full roster this season, the Sixers haven’t been able to contain John Wall.
The Wizards’ All-Star point guard has dominated the Sixers over the years and this season has been no different. Wall has averaged close to a triple-double against them in 2015-16 with 20.6 points, 9.3 assists and 8.3 rebounds.
As if that weren’t enough, Wall comes into Tuesday’s matchup on a tear as he looks to single-handedly lift the Wizards into the playoffs.
Wall ripped off a triple-double with 29 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds on Wednesday in a 117-96 win over the Chicago Bulls. On Monday, he recorded 15 points, 12 assists and five boards in a 124-81 victory over the Detroit Pistons.
With the Wizards just 1 1/2 games out of the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, look for Wall to play another major role in Thursday’s season series finale against the Sixers.
3. Canaan ball
With so many injuries across the roster, the Sixers have been looking for contributions anywhere they can get them.
The normally streaky Isaiah Canaan has been able to take on some of the load during March. Canaan has averaged 14.0 points with 3.0 three-pointers per game this month.
The guard has been exceptional in the past two games and one of the main reasons the Sixers were able to hang around in losses to the Nets and Pistons. Canaan racked up 42 points on 10-of-18 shooting, including 9 for 15 from downtown in those matchups. He’s also made 13 of 14 free throws during that span.
4. Injuries
Alan Anderson (ankle) is a game-time decision for the Wizards.
Covington and Grant (concussions) are day-to-day. Richaun Holmes (Achilles) is out.
5. This and that
• The Sixers have lost all three meetings with the Wizards this season.
• The Wizards have forced 39 turnovers in their last two games.
• Ish Smith is averaging 17.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in March.
• Marcin Gortat has averaged 17.0 points and 14.7 rebounds against the Sixers this season.