"A depleted roster because of injury can be unsettling for a coach, especially when facing an opponent that is perceived by outsiders to be an easy foe.

Such was the case Monday night when the Sixers entertained the 2-14 Washington Wizards. The Sixers were without Spencer Hawes for a fourth straight game because of a strained Achilles' and rookie Nik Vucevic was a scratch because of his left knee quad strain, which occurred Saturday against Miami."