Wall has double-double to lead Wizards past 76ers,

The game started inconspicuously enough, with the Washington Wizards cruising to a 12 point first half lead and looking comfortable on both sides of the ball. The Philadelphia 76ers were typically listless for two quarters in Washington, with Jahlil Okafor out with a shin contusion (sure) and Nerlens sitting the majority of the half, going into halftime down 12. Washington will return home with a victory from the city of Brotherly Love by beating Philadelphia 103-94. They allowed 113.3 points per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 104.7. Stauskas finished with 10 points on 4-for-11 shooting. With boxing champion Floyd Mayweather courtside, Morris and Wall delivered the knockout blow.

Washington has been an inconsistent team all season, failing to produce any lengthy winning streaks, but the Wizards have been consistent at not performing well after a win.

Every time the Orlando Magic take a step forward, they tend to take two steps back.

After tonight’s win, the Wizards are 1.5 games behind the four teams in the 6th to 9th slots in the East. They’ve helped themselves a lot since the All-Star Break, but will have to keep it up to secure a playoff spot. Minnesota (19-41) also falls into that category, but Washington has averaged 88.6 points in losing five straight there.

Washington also turned it over 11 times after halftime, including eight times in the third quarter.

Kieff finished with 16 pounds and 13 rebounds and is starting to get comfortable within Washington’s offense. Former Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris added a double-double game production of 16 points and 13 rebounds with 2 steals and 1 blocked shot in 37.27 minutes of playing. “We just have to play longer”. “I think we will have a shot to become a destination”, he said.

Wall and Marcin Gortat combined for 14 points during a 16-0 fourth-quarter run. LeBron James questioned his team’s mental toughness afterwards and we’ll see if they can respond for this outing with John Wall.

“You go right to the truth”, Brown said of the approach he used in addressing his team at intermission.

About 15 minutes after Sunday’s 130-116 setback to the Orlando Magic, Brett Brown stood in the corridor outside the visitor’s locker room at Amway Center, weaving the themes of transparency and accountability throughout his post-game press conference.

“He’s one of these jaw-dropping guards that you look at and you say, ‘Wow, ‘” Brown said.

If they can’t figure things out soon, their speed demon in John Wall might be out of the door on the first chance that he gets.

NOTES: F Nene (soreness) F Alan Anderson (left ankle) and G Gary Neal (sore right leg) all sat out for the Wizards on the second leg of a back-to-back.

76ers: Hosts Charlotte on Wednesday.

But Wall wouldn’t allow it. And-1 after and-1, three pointer after three pointer, dunk after dunk, Wall slowly chipped away at Philadelphia’s lead.

Thompson missed his second consecutive game with an upper respiratory infection. Noel’s evening ended with 10 points (4-7 fg), three rebounds, and one block in 17 minutes.