Sixers End Losing Streak, Nets Seek Franchise Record Tie with Win Over Timberwolves

On Saturday, the Philadelphia 76ers (16-57) ended their long 26-game losing streak with a 123-98 rout over the Detroit Pistons (26-47).

With the win, the 76ers got their first one since January 29 but remain tied for the longest-losing streak in league history. They also snapped 18 straight games of home losses.

Playing without expectations seemed to bode well for Philadelphia as it look a double-digit lead in the game’s first quarter and by halftime, had a 71-50 advantage. The lead continued by as much as 32-points before the much-needed win.

Michael Carter Williams

For Philadelphia, Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young both scored 21 points while Henry Sims contributed 16 points.

As for the Pistons, their season hasn’t been that much better (see Milwaukee for having a tougher time) as they have now lost 11 of their last 13 games. Greg Monroe led the team in scoring on Saturday with his 20 points and 10 rebounds.

On Friday, the team lost to the Miami Heat (50-22), 110-78 and with Saturday’s poor play, the Piston’s frustration showed right away. Brandon Jennings quickly grabbed two technical fouls and then got ejected for arguing a call. In the first quarter.

Josh Smith had one technical foul and looked like he also wanted to get kicked out of the game, according to NBC Sports, but he wasn’t as lucky to get the ejection.

Both teams are at crossroads but for the 76ers they’ve been open about their plans to rebuild. While losing 26 games wasn’t exactly part of the plan, neither was a lot of winning and now the team will look to the future.

Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said before Saturday’s game via the Associated Press, “Our judgment day isn’t today and it won’t be tomorrow. We’re on a three- to five-year plan.”

As for the rest of the season, which is quickly coming to an end for both teams, the 76ers will play the Atlanta Hawks (31-41) on Monday while the Pistons will play the Bucks (14-59).

Meanwhile, for other teams in the Atlantic Division, the Brooklyn Nets (38-33) have their eyes on the postseason and in Sunday’s game about the Minnesota Timberwolves (36-35), another win will get them closer to home-court advantage in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

A victory will also tie a franchise record with a 13th consecutive home win. They have won their last 19 of 21 home games, which represents the best for the East as overall they’ve gone 28-12 since Jan. 1. On Friday, in another home game, they defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers (29-45) 108-97. This came on limiting this opponent to 42.5 percent shooting.

Brooklyn sits 2 1/2 games behind the Toronto Raptors (41-31) for the Atlantic Division’s top spot and for the conference, 1 1/2 games behind the Chicago Bulls (40-32) for the fourth slot. The Nets sit at 18/1 to win the Eastern Conference.

As for tying the franchise record for home wins, good luck going up against Minnesota as they’ve lost their last three home games against them. The Timberwolves offense is strong and in their most recent win on Friday, they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers (24-48) with a team high for points at 143-107.

Kevin Love scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. This triple-double represented his second career one.

Kevin Love

In the Nov. 22 game against the Nets, Love scored points with 16 rebounds in a 111-81 win as Brooklyn only had 39.7 percent shooting from the field.

On Saturday, a story came out about Love’s future as he’ll be a free agent next year. He’s rumored to have an interest in leaving Minnesota at that time to seek a larger market team and one with greater talent to get him to the playoffs. His short list allegedly includes the Lakers, the Bulls and the New York Knicks (30-43).

But in the short term, Minnesota won’t see the postseason for the 10th straight year or get the win on Sunday (Nets -4, 210 o/u).