With the swirling NBA trade winds, it's easy to forget that there's a basketball game going tonight in Philadelphia. It's a good game even, I'm told by Steve Buckhantz, with the Sixers leading by a score of 54-49 at the half.
The trade would send Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to the Hawks in exchange for Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and a first-round draft pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.
In the actual game, John Wall leads the Wizards with 16 points, three rebounds, and six assists. He is 3-for-4 from the line, continuing to aggressively attack the basket. Meanwhile, his point guard counterpart Jrue Holiday is leading the Sixers attack with 11 points, two assists and two steals. Holiday has only missed two shots.
The Wizards continue to get killed on the glass, this time allowing the Sixers a 25-18 rebounding advantage. The teams are shooting identical percentages from the field, so that difference on the glass -- and the fact that the Sixers are making their free throws -- accounts for the the slim margin on the scoreboard. The Sixers also have a 21-9 advantage in bench scoring, led by 10 points from Thad Young.
Unlike on Tuesday night against the Pacers, the Wizards are competing in this game. It remains to be seen if they can continue that in the second half.
Stay with SB Nation DC for more updates from the game, and on the trade front. Also check out Bullets Forever where Mike Prada provides more wisdom.