Grizzlies fall to short-handed Rockets for rare loss…
The Philadelphia 76ers finally picked up their first win of the season on Wednesday night and in turn avoided a record-tying 0-18 start to a season.
A loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves would have tied the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets for the worst start to a season in league history at 0-18. However, point guard Michael Carter-Williams had other ideas with 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists while Robert Covington added 17 points.
Coach Brett Brown praised his young side for their continued professionalism and drive throughout their losing streak, while Timberwolves star Corey Brewer was upset with the way his team lost for the 11th time in 13 games.
Gorgui Dieng had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the hosts, and even though the Sixers shot just 39 percent from the field, they were still able to finally taste victory.
Over in the Eastern Conference, the Chicago Bulls got back to winning ways on their trip to face the Charlotte Hornets and they improve to 12-7 for the season.
Joakim Noah had 14 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to lead the way for Tom Thibodeau’s men who were undoubtedly fatigued after their double overtime effort against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, it was another team effort with Pau Gasol adding 19 points and 15 rebounds along with Nikola Mirotic’s double-double of 11 points and 12 rebounds, with the likes of Jimmy Butler, Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich all playing key roles in a balanced attack.
The Bulls improve to 10-3 on the road for the season and they have now scored at least 100 points in the last five consecutive games.
Mirza Teletovic scored 26 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets overcame the San Antonio Spurs in overtime to end the visitors’ eight-game winning streak.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wasn’t pleased with his first unit and called them “sloppy” while Manu Ginobili conceded that they played badly over a big stretch of the game and ultimately they just didn’t show up with their best basketball and were punished for it.
The same could also be said of the Memphis Grizzlies who suffered only their third loss of the season on Wednesday night against a short-handed Houston Rockets.
James Harden had 21 points to lead the way as the Rockets overcame the absence of Dwight Howard with a big performance from rookie Tarik Black who had 10 points and a season-high 11 rebounds for the first double-double of his young career.
NBA Results
Chicago Bulls 102-95 Charlotte Hornets
Los Angeles Lakers 95-111 Washington Wizards
Detroit Pistons 102-109 Boston Celtics
San Antonio Spurs 93-95 Brooklyn Nets
Atlanta Hawks 112-102 Miami Heat
Memphis Grizzlies 96-105 Houston Rockets
Dallas Mavericks 107-105 Milwaukee Bucks
Philadelphia 76ers 85-77 Minnesota Timberwolves
Toronto Raptors 123-104 Utah Jazz
Orlando Magic 86-114 Los Angeles Clippers
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