The Philadelphia 76ers’ historic and agonizing losing streak finally ended Tuesday as Kobe Bryant suffered more defeat with the Los Angeles Lakers in his first road match since announcing his plans to
The Philadelphia 76ers’ historic and agonizing losing streak finally ended Tuesday as Kobe Bryant suffered more defeat with the Los Angeles Lakers in his first road match since announcing his plans to retire.
One more defeat for the Sixers on Tuesday — 0-18 heading into the game — would have given them sole possession of the record for the worst start to a season in NBA history.
They had already set a record for the longest losing streak in the history of the NBA, with 28 defeats stretching over last season and the current campaign.
But a 23-point haul from forward Robert Covington laid the foundation for a deserved 103-91 Sixers victory as Bryant and the Lakers tumbled to 2-15, the worst record in the Western Conference.
Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel added 14 points apiece while rookie Jahlil Okafor was one of three Philadelphia players to finish with 12 points.
Elsewhere Tuesday, the Washington Wizards stunned LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers with a 97-85 upset in Ohio.
John Wall led the way with 35 points, 10 assists and four rebounds as the Wizards improved to 7-8, easing pressure on beleaguered coach Randy Wittman.
It was the Cavs’ first home defeat of the season following a 9-0 start to the campaign at the Quicken Loans Arena.
James scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Cleveland but committed nine turnovers, part of an overall tally of 19, just short of their season-high 21 set in a double-overtime loss. “They beat us from beginning to end, in every facet of the game,” James said.
