76ers-Wizards Preview

(AP) -- John Wall has been sensational on the Washington Wizards' homestand, though it isn't translating into enough victories.

The lowly Philadelphia 76ers visit next, and they may be able to slow down Wall now that the energetic Ish Smith is starting at point guard.

The Wizards also usually excel on the glass and will attempt to keep Nerlens Noel off the boards in Wednesday night's matchup.

Wall is averaging 30.3 points, 8.0 assists and 7.0 rebounds while totaling 31 free-throw attempts three games into this five-game stretch at home, though Washington (41-33) has won once. His 25-point, 12-assist effort wasn't enough in Sunday's 99-91 defeat to Houston.

Coach Randy Wittman said afterward that the Wizards weren't running their plays properly. Wall, who has 13 turnovers in his last two games, agreed.

"I wouldn't put it on the coach, because he's doing a great job of drawing it up," Wall said. "Like he always says, if you don't know, you've got time before you walk on the court to ask again. So it's all on us as players."

The Wizards, who have clinched a second straight playoff berth, have dropped five of six. They know they have plenty to correct before the postseason begins.

"I don't care what seed we get or what's going on, you want to go in playing great basketball," Wall said.

Washington has split two meetings with Philadelphia (18-57), falling 89-81 on the road in the last one Feb. 27. Wall made 7 of 26 shots for 21 points as Smith came off the bench for six points and six assists in his home debut for the 76ers, who signed him Feb. 22 after he was waived by New Orleans.

Smith is averaging 13.4 points and 6.8 assists while starting the last eight games. He is averaging a league-best 13.3 drives since joining Philadelphia and will have plenty of opportunities to guard Wall, who leads the NBA with 95.7 touches per game.

Philadelphia has limited opponents to 41.0 percent shooting since Smith became a permanent starter. It was at 44.8 percent previously.

Washington leads the Eastern Conference in rebound margin at plus-2.5 while Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league at minus-3.2. Noel, however, is averaging 10.5 rebounds since the All-Star break for the NBA's fifth-best mark.

The Sixers have gone to Noel down the stretch in their last two games. He missed a potential go-ahead shot in the closing seconds of Sunday's 87-86 loss at Cleveland and made a tying jumper with 13 seconds left in overtime the next night before Philadelphia fell 113-111 at home to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Noel is averaging 17.0 points and 12.8 boards in his last five games.

"He wants the ball," coach Brett Brown said. "I'm at a stage personally where I have confidence that he's going to step up and not be intimidated by the moment."

The Sixers played Monday without Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, who sat out with shoulder soreness, and Jerami Grant, out with an upper respiratory infection. Jason Richardson has missed the last two games due to swelling in his left knee.