The Sixers (18-60) will try to snap their six-game skid when they host the Washington Wizards (44-33) at the Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday night (7 p.m./CSN).
Let's take a closer look at the matchup:
1. Crucial clash
On paper, Wednesday's Sixers-Wizards game would appear to be just another contest on the way toward the end of the regular season.
Far from it.
Wednesday's game actually has big implications for both sides.
For the Sixers, it not only means a chance to deal a loss to the Wizards but also help the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Sixers hold the Thunder's first-round pick in the NBA draft, which is top-18 protected. Currently, OKC is sitting at the 17th-worst record in the league with the Wizards 2½ games in front of them for the 19th position. The chances of the Thunder catching the Wiz are getting slimmer by the day, but a Sixers victory would keep those hopes alive for a little longer.
On the Wizards' side, they are still chasing homecourt advantage in the postseason. Washington is just one game behind fourth-seeded Toronto and two games back of third-seeded Chicago in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
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2. Ice-cold Covington
Robert Covington has been a find this season for the Sixers. The 6-foot-9 sharpshooter has averaged 12.9 points and 4.5 rebounds per game with the team.
Covington's scoring hasn't taken much of a dip during the Sixers' recent slide. He has put up 11.3 points over the stretch.
However, his efficiency has drastically fallen off. Covington has shot 21 of 63 (33.3 percent) from the field and 15 of 44 (34.0 percent) from three-point range. Those numbers are down from Covington's season stats of 39.1 percent and 38.2 percent, respectively.
The Sixers, the NBA's lowest-scoring team, can't afford to have Covington's slump continue if they hope to take down the Wizards.
3. Defending the dynamic duo
Even if Covington regains his offensive form, the Sixers will win or lose Wednesday's game on defense.
In the Sixers' last meeting with the Wizards just one week ago, they allowed 65 points in the first half of an eventual 106-93 loss.
Most of that damage was done by All-Star point guard John Wall (13 points, 15 assists) and big man Marcin Gortat (23 points, 14 rebounds).
Both players have enjoyed success against the Sixers this season. Wall has averaged 15.0 points, 12.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in the first three matchups in 2014-15. Gortat has posted 17.0 points and 12.0 boards against them.
The Sixers have to find a strategy to prevent Wall and Gortat from going off yet again.
4. Injuries
Nene (rest) has missed the Wizards' last two games and Paul Pierce (illness) has missed the last three. However, both players made the trip to Philadelphia and are expected to return on Wednesday.
Garrett Temple (hamstring) is out.
Luc Mbah a Moute (shoulder) sat out the Sixers' last game and is day to day.
Thomas Robinson (ankle) has missed two straight games but is expected to play on Wednesday.
Isaiah Canaan (foot) is out for the remainder of the season.
Joel Embiid (foot) and Tony Wroten (knee) are out indefinitely.
5. This and that
• The Sixers haven't lost seven straight since they started the season 0-17.
• The Wizards have won three in a row.
• The Sixers have lost five of the last six in the series.
• Jerami Grant is 7 for 30 during the Sixers' skid.
• Otto Porter has scored 13.5 points a night over his last four games.