(Sports Network) - The first two picks of this past summer's NBA Draft will go head-to-head tonight in DC, where No. 1 overall selection John Wall and the Washington Wizards play host to Evan Turner and the Philadelphia 76ers.
76ers Vs. Wizards: The Top Two Picks Of The Draft Meet In Wizard’s Home Opener
After polishing his skills at Kentucky, Wall went to the Wizards with the top pick in the draft and made his debut in last Thursday's loss at Orlando, scoring 14 points and handing out nine assists. Wall, who is nursing a balky right ankle, recorded 28 points and another nine assists in Saturday's 99-95 road setback to Atlanta.
The speedy Wall is expected to play tonight for the 0-2 Wizards.
Turner, meanwhile, went second in the draft to Philadelphia and hasn't started a game for the winless 76ers (0-3). He netted 16 points in his debut last Wednesday versus Miami, but was held scoreless in less than 19 minutes of action in Friday's loss to Atlanta. Turner is averaging 27.7 minutes per game, while Wall is posting 38.5 minutes.
The former Ohio State standout had nine points and seven rebounds in Saturday's 99-86 loss at Indiana, Philadelphia's first road contest of the season. Turner and the 76ers are trying to avoid the worst start in team history since the 2001-02 squad kicked off the year 0-5. Lou Williams had 18 points, while Elton Brand, Jrue Holiday and Andre Iguodala each scored 12 points for the Sixers.
“It’s the same old movie, bad stretches and it’s not our defense, it’s our offense,” said Philadelphia head coach Doug Collins. “It’s one thing about playing with passion and it’s one thing about playing with emotion. Not one guy in that locker room has a winning record in the NBA. They asked me to turn things around and it’s going to take time.”
Washington will celebrate its home opener Tuesday and is off to the worst start since losing the first five games of the 2008-09 season.
Wall's 28 points and Al Thornton's 24 points weren't enough to lift the Wizards, who got 18 points from Andray Blatche. Washington did shoot 50 percent from the field in defeat.
“We shot 50 percent and held them to low 40’s and that’s pretty good,” said Wizards head coach Flip Saunders. “They’re one of the top teams in the league. We just have to clean some things up and we’ll be right there.”
Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas is still out because of a right ankle sprain and was suspended 50 games last season for a felony gun conviction.
Washington took all three meetings with Philadelphia last season after losing four matchups in 2008-09. The Sixers have lost two in a row and nine of 12 visits to the nation’s capital.
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