76ers finally win, end record-tying losing streak

Philadelphia 76ers players (from left) Michael Carter-Williams, Nerlens Noel, Hollis Thompson and Henry Sims celebrate after winning against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday. Philadelphia won 123-98, breaking a 26-game losing streak. PICTURE: USA TODAY SportsDPA/Los Angeles For the first time in two months, the Philadelphia 76ers could smile again. The 76ers halted their NBA record-tying 26-game losing streak on Saturday night, jumping all over the visiting Detroit Pistons for a rousing 123-98 victory.  Philadelphia had not won since January 29 when it defeated Boston 95-94 on a buzzer-beater by Evan Turner, who was later traded. The Sixers lost to 21 different teams during the streak by an average of 17.1 points, leading in the fourth quarter for a total of 20 seconds. “It’s not something I want to be a part of,” said Carter-Williams, who added four steals. A rebuilding project began last summer under new general manager Sam Hinkie, who traded All-Star point guard Jrue Holiday for draft picks.  At the trading deadline, Hinkie traded veterans Turner and Spencer Hawes for more draft picks and financial flexibility, leaving the roster with Young as the lone veteran alongside rookies and journeymen. “We’re committed to the plan,” first-year coach Brett Brown said. “We don’t want to blink.” Thursday’s loss at Houston tied the record set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the longest in NBA history. The Sixers could have broken the mark with another loss but turned the tables on the Pistons (26-47), who arrived in Philadelphia having lost 13 of their last 14 road games.“They wanted it more than we did,” Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey said. Detroit shot under 39 percent (33-of-85) and committed 18 turnovers.  Starting point guard Brandon Jennings was ejected for arguing late in the first quarter. By that time, Carter-Williams had 11 points and the Sixers had a 26-20 lead. They widened the margin to 33-23 after one period and led by at least 10 points thereafter. Detroit closed to 61-51 before Philadelphia closed the first half with nine straight points. A bucket by Carter-Williams triggered a 14-2 burst that gave the Sixers their largest lead at 98-66 late in the third quarter. At that point, players on the bench were jumping up and down and waving towels. “We hadn’t been winning much, so this feels really good,” guard Tony Wroten said. “I’m happy for all the guys in this locker room.” Henry Sims scored 16 points, rookie Hollis Thompson added 14 and Elliot Williams 13 for Philadelphia, which made 12-of-21 from the arc and also ended an 18-game home skid - one shy of the league mark - dating to Jan. 15. Spurs 96, Pelicans 80The league-leading Spurs (57-16) won their 17th straight game - tying a franchise record - as Italy’s Marco Belinelli scored 18 points to lead a balanced attack. The visiting Pelicans had a five-game winning streak snapped. Clippers 118, Rockets 107Chris Paul Paul collected 30 points and 12 assists for the visiting Clippers, who clinched a playoff berth despite losing superstar Blake Griffin to back spasms. James Harden scored 32 points for the Rockets, who played without injured All-Star centre Dwight Howard (ankle) and had their five-game winning streak stopped.

Heat 88, Bucks 67LeBron James matched a season low with 13 points, but the visiting Heat had their best defensive effort of the season and moved within 1 ½ games of Indiana for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The league-worst Bucks (14-59) have lost nine of 10. Mavericks 103, Kings 100Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki scored 19 points as the Mavericks (44-30) pulled into a virtual tie with Memphis for the final playoff spot in the West. Rudy Gay scored 30 points for the Kings, who have lost 20 straight visits to Dallas. Wizards 101, Hawks 97Drew Gooden scored a season-high 26 points and John Wall added 25 as the host Wizards held on for their second straight win. The Hawks (31-41) suffered their sixth straight loss and lead New York by just 1 ½ games for the East’s final playoff spot.