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76ers try to end slide against dismal Wizards

Feb 25, 2009 - 11:26 AM Philadelphia (27-28) at Washington (13-43) 7:00 p.m. EST

WASHINGTON (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia 76ers have hit a rough patch. A meeting with the worst team in the Eastern Conference should get them back on track.

The 76ers try to avoid a season-high, fifth straight loss on Friday when they visit the lowly Washington Wizards.

After winning four consecutive games following a loss to the defending champion Boston Celtics to open February, Philadelphia has lost each of its last four contests, including a controversial 98-96 setback to the New Jersey Nets on Monday.

Andre Iguodala made one of two free throws to give the 76ers a 96-95 lead with 1.8 seconds to go, but Devin Harris made an acrobatic 3-pointer from midcourt that he got off just before the final buzzer.

Harris took the inbounds pass and raced to his left. Iguodala picked him up and knocked the ball away as Harris made his first attempt at a shot to beat the horn. The ball bounced off Iguodala right back to Harris, who launched another shot - and this one found nothing but net.

The officials took a long look at replays of the shot and determined Harris just beat the clock.

The Wizards, who sit one win in front of the Sacramento Kings (12-46) for the worst record in the NBA, had won back-to-back games before dropping a 98-67 decision to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.