make a decision. Fitzpatrick and Petty received an even number of practice reps during the week, according to Bowles.By the end of the week, Fitzpatrick was trending toward starting, but he apparently wasnt able to convince Bowles.This should be a popular decision with the fan base, which has been sc

PHILADELPHIA -- After helping the Philadelphia 76ers build an eight-point lead down the stretch, Jahlil Okafor could only watch from the bench as the lead dwindled.Okafor scored 19 points on 8-for-11 shooting before fouling out with 2:56 left and Richaun Holmes made a key 3-pointer with just over a minute remaining to help the 76ers beat the injury-plagued Washington Wizards 109-102 Wednesday night.Okafor went to the bench with the Sixers holding a 101-93 lead. Washington then made a run, pulling to 103-100 with 1:29 to play.However, after a timeout, Holmes made a 3-pointer from just in front of the Wizards bench to extend the lead to six points with 1:10 remaining.That was big, Okafor said. I was excited. I know how hard he works every day, so for it to go in for him and for the team, it was a big win for us.Holmes added: I tried to get out there as fast as I could and get ready to shoot the ball. Weve talked about picking my spots and that was pretty good spot to pick.Ersan Ilyasova had 16 points, Nik Stauskas scored 15 points, and Gerald Henderson 14 to help the 76ers win for just the second time in 11 games this season. Dario Saric added 13 points and 12 rebounds.The 76ers were without leading-scorer Joel Embiid, the third pick overall in the 2014 NBA draft, who has been brought along slowly after missing two seasons because of two foot surgeries.Were scratching and clawing for wins, 76ers coach Brett Brown said. I think theres something to be said for being able to get a win without Joel, and (Okafor) was a major contributor.The Wizards, who were held to just one basket in their final three possessions, fell to 2-8.John Wall scored 23 of his 27 points in the second half and Markieff Morris had 19 points for the Wizards, who were without second-leading scorer Bradley Beal.Otto Porter Jr. had 15 points and 13 rebounds, Marcin Gortat added 10 points and 14 boards, and Marcus Thornton also scored 10.Were too good to be losing, Morris said. No disrespect to the Sixers or any other team we lost to. The coach should never have to coach effort, especially when youre 2-7.Morris was referring to coach Scott Brooks, who said his team came out too slow against the team with the NBAs worst record.The Sixers opened the game with an 11-4 run, thanks in part to Ilyasovas eight points in the opening quarter. The Wizards responded by scoring the next six points, but the Sixers went on an 11-2 run to end the first quarter with a 29-15 lead.Wall, meanwhile, saw just 7:28 in the first half and managed just four points on 1-for-4 shooting.I was frustrated, basically the whole first half, only playing 7 minutes, said Wall, who is also on minutes restriction after having surgery on both knees in the offseason. The game starts getting closer and its frustrating not being out there to help my guys win the game.TIP-INSWizards: Beal sat out his third straight game with a right thigh injury and is questionable for Thursday nights game against the Knicks. Every day he is feeling a little better, Wizards coach Scott Brooks said. We just want to be cautious about it. Sheldon McClellan started his second game in a row in place of Beal, while Marcus Thornton came off the bench.76ers: With the Sixers visiting Minnesota on Thursday night, Embiid, who is leading the team with 18.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, sat out his fourth game of the season. Embiid, who last played on Monday against Houston, is expected to be limited to 24 minutes through Christmas. I follow the instruction (of our medical staff), Sixers coach Brett Brown said. Its really that simple. Its completely designed to what is best for Joel Embiid.BACK-TO-BACKSOkafor played in his ninth game and has been cleared to play in Thursdays game against the Timbervolves, although he is likely to haveminutes restrictions.WAITING ON MAHINMIIan Mahinmi, sidelined since undergoing left knee surgery on Oct. 15, could be back on the practice court for the Wizards next week, according to Brooks. He was expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks but appears to be ahead of schedule.UP NEXTWizards: Host New York on Thursday night.76ers: At Minnesota on Thursday night as they try to end a 20-game road losing streak.Cheap NFL Jerseys China . Miller finished in two minutes, 6.09 seconds, one day before the first medal race on the Alpine schedule. The 36-year-old American also turned in the top time in Thursdays opening training session. Cheap Jerseys . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. http://www.jerseyschinanflwholesale.com/ .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift. Wholesale Jerseys . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale . The showiest items on Calgarys lot were forwards Mike Cammalleri and Lee Stempniak. Both will be unrestricted free agents this summer.EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Embattled quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, listed as questionable with a minor knee sprain, didnt start for the New York Jets on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.It means second-year backup Bryce Petty made his NFL starting debut.Fitzpatrick, who is active and will back up Petty, was injured last Sunday in a loss to the Miami Dolphins, but he finished the game and practiced every day, albeit on a limited basis. He had said he was definitely optimistic about playing.Nevertheless, coach Todd Bowles said he wanted to wait until Sunday to make a decision. Fitzpatrick and Petty received an even number of practice reps during the week, according to Bowles.By the end of the week, Fitzpatrick was trending toward starting, but he apparently wasnt able to convince Bowles.This should be a popular decision with the fan base, which has been screaming for Petty to start. Fitzpatrick has thrown a league-leading 13 interceptions, and the Jets begin the day at 3-6, seemingly out of playoff contenttion.dddddddddddd.Rookie Christian Hackenberg is inactive on Sunday.If Petty plays well, it will complicate things for Bowles, who has remained steadfastly committed to Fitzpatrick despite his struggles. Bowles has made it clear he believes Fitzpatrick gives them the best chance to win.The Jets have a bye week to sort it out. After Sunday, they dont play again until Nov. 27 against the New England Patriots.Petty, a fourth-round pick out of Baylor in 2015, has played only four regular-season snaps -- all last week. He played well in the preseason and moved up to No. 2 when Geno Smith, starting for the benched Fitzpatrick, suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 23.After backing up Robert Griffin III early in his college career, Petty became Baylors starter in 2013 and 2014. He passed for more than 8,000 yards, 61 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions as a junior and senior. ' ' '