76ers Lose in Front of Iverson, Knicks Look to Snap Losing Streak Against the Bulls

Set against the backdrop of retiring Allen Iverson’s No. 3 jersey, the Washington Wizards (31-28) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers (15-44), 122-103, on Saturday. This represented the Wizard’s sixth consecutive win.

A crowd of 20,856-the team’s first sellout–saw a 13th straight loss as the Wizards’ Trevor Ariza stole the show with his eight 3-pointers and 40 points–a career high. In the first quarter, Ariza hit six 3-pointers and grabbed 24 points to start the game. For the night, he was 14 for 23 from the floor and said after the game that Iverson had been a childhood favorite of his.

Assisting Ariza for the win, John Wall added 17 points and 16 assists–tying a career high. Marcin Gortat contributed 13 points with 14 rebounds.

Allen Iverson

As for the 76ers, who saw Iverson’s jersey raised into the rafters and played with a lot of energy in the stadium, just couldn’t get it done. Their highlight may have been its 9-0 run in the third quarter to come within 12 of the Wizards. But it was too little and Philadelphia gave up another 100-plus game for a 13th straight time. It also saw a record-setting 74 points in the first half by the Wizards

For the team, Tony Wroten led in scoring with 19 points while Thaddeus Young  added 17 points.

After suffering yet another loss, 76ers coach Brett Brown had been asked if he wondered whether his team would win a game, he responded, “All the time.”

The 76ers will have a chance to break their slump on Sunday against the Orlando Magic (18-43). The two teams just played another five days ago and yes, the Magic won 101-90. Jameer Nelson broke out in the fourth quarter with 12 points while Nikola Vucevic had added 21 points with 13 rebounds.

For the night, the 76ers went 5 for 22 from beyond the arc while Thaddeus Young went 0 for 5; the team only shot 36.8 percent in the game.

On Saturday, the Magic lost to the Miami Heat (42-14), 112-98 and will look to put that behind them. They may again be without their top scorer, Arron Afflalo, who has missed four consecutive games. This has come from a sprained ankle as well as being sick. Should he miss Sunday’s game, the Magic will be without his 25.3 point average in the three games before he went to the bench and the career-high 43 points he had against the 76ers back on Dec. 3.

So what will change in a matter of days for the 76ers? Probably not much other than greater frustration.

Vegas sees another win for the Magic against the 76ers on Sunday (-10.5, 213 o/u).

In another Atlantic Division team battling a losing streak, the New York Knicks (21-38) will look to snap their five-game one on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls (32-26).

For the month of February, the Knicks went 2-11 with their last game a 126-103 loss at home against the Golden State Warriors on Friday. Carmelo Anthony, No. 2 in the league with his 28.2 point average, had a good game with his 23 points and 16 rebounds but it wasn’t enough. His teammate Tyson Chandler showed his frustration as he got ejected in the final quarter after his second technical foul.

Carmelo Anthony

The Knicks are out of the playoffs by six games and Anthony said via the Associated Press, “We shouldn’t be in this position. But we’ve got games to play.”

Good luck going up against the Bulls who have won three straight games and are playing some of their best basketball of the season.

On Sunday, the Bulls will look for win No. 9 in 10 games and to advance their six games past .500. They play well against the Knicks on their home court, winning their last 22 of 25.

On Friday, the Bulls rallied from behind by 16 points to defeat the Dallas Mavericks (36-24), 100-91 on the road. Taj Gibson scored 20 points with 15 rebounds–a season high–while Mike Dunleavy had 16 points and four assists.

The Bulls get the win (-7, 185 o/u).