When: 7:30 p.m. | Where: Wachovia Center, Philadelphia | TV/radio: CSN, ESPN 980
Probable starters: Wizards - F Caron Butler, F Antawn Jamison, C JaVale McGee, G DeShawn Stevenson, G Juan Dixon. 76ers - F Elton Brand, C Samuel Dalembert, G Andre Iguodala, G Willie Green, G Andre Miller. Injuries: Wizards - Out: C Brendan Haywood (wrist), G Gilbert Arenas (knee). 76ers - Out: F/C Jason Smith (torn ACL).
Outlook: A strong second-half push sneaked the 76ers into the playoffs last season as the seventh seed; this summer's acquisition of Elton Brand was supposed to vault them among the Eastern Conference contenders. But so far, the results have been disappointing. Entering Friday night's game against Cleveland, Brand led five double-digit scorers with 16.2 points and pulled down a team-high 10.0 rebounds. But his production hasn't translated into a winning record for Philly (9-14). It's the teams' first meeting of the season; Washington was 0-2 in Philadelphia last season.
