NBA round-up: Philadelphia 76ers lose again and inch closer to dubious distinction

Marcin Gortat had a season high 24 points and 13 rebounds to lift the Washington Wizards past the New Orleans Pelicans while Paul Millsap scored 18 points, Mike Scott added 14 and Atlanta handed Charlotte a ninth straight loss.

Philadelphia 76ers' K.J. McDaniels, right, and Nerlens Noel, left, battle for a rebound against Dallas Mavericks' Chandler Parsons, second from right, and Brandan Wright during the first half of an NBShow more

PHILADELPHIA // After setting a franchise record for losses to start the season, the 76ers continued to focus on long-term goals.

Tyson Chandler had 20 points and 13 rebounds to help the Dallas Mavericks beat Philadelphia 110-103 on Saturday night, sending the 76ers to a 16th straight loss to start the season.

Michael Carter-Williams had a triple-double with 18 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds for the 76ers, who eclipsed the 1972-73 club that began 0-15 on the way to setting an 82-game NBA record for fewest victories at 9-73.

Philadelphia became the fifth team in league history to open with at least 16 straight losses, joining the 1994-95 Clippers (0-16), 1998-99 Clippers (0-17), 1988-89 Heat (0-17) and the 2009-10 Nets (0-18).

“I’m fine and I don’t want those guys worrying about any record,” Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. “We just have to keep our group together and move them along. I have so much respect for that group because their spirit has not been broken.”

Philadelphia, with a roster of draft picks and young, undrafted players, is sacrificing victories to build for the future. Of the 12 players Brown played versus Dallas, only Luc Mbah a Moute has more than two years of NBA experience.

“We’re heartbroken we haven’t won,” Brown said. “But down deep I feel like I know something that’s going on that I like. I think they will be rewarded for the work they’re putting in. I hope it’s sooner than later to validate their efforts.”

WIZARDS 83, PELICANS 80

Marcin Gortat had a season high 24 points and 13 rebounds, Bradley Beal scored 12 points and the Washington Wizards beat the New Orleans Pelicans. The Wizards trailed only once – when Anthony Davis, who led New Orleans with 30 points, dunked to give the Pelicans a 78-77 lead with 3:48 remaining. Paul Pierce hit a layup and a 3-pointer, and Washington led 81-77 with 2:13 to play.

HAWKS 105, HORNETS 75

Paul Millsap scored 18 points, Mike Scott added 14 and Atlanta handed Charlotte a ninth straight loss. Dennis Schroder and Kyle Korver each finished with 12 points for Atlanta (9-6), which has won two straight and four of five. The Hornets (4-14) trailed by 20 early in the second quarter, by 32 late in the second and were down by 44 early in the third.

CAVALIERS 109, PACERS 97

Kevin Love scored a season-high 28 points, Kyrie Irving added 24 and Cleveland defeated Indiana Pacers. LeBron James added 19 points as Cleveland won its third straight game after losing four in a row and moved its record to 8-7. The Cavaliers have won the three games by an average of 23.3 points. Love, who came into the game averaging 16.5 points, scored 16 in the first quarter.

CLIPPERS 112, JAZZ 96

Blake Griffin scored 28 points and Chris Paul added 17 points and 10 assists to help Los Angeles beat Utah and post their fourth straight win. Jamal Crawford tallied 22 points and DeAndre Jordan grabbed 12 rebounds as the Clippers (11-5) closed a seven-game trip that covered over 7,200 miles with a 6-1 record. Gordon Hayward scored 30 points and Derrick Favors had 19 for the Jazz (5-12).

ROCKETS 117, BUCKS 103

James Harden scored 19 of his game-high 34 points in the decisive third quarter and Houston beat Milwaukee Bucks 117-103. Rookie Jabari Parker scored 19 points and Ersan Ilyasova added 18 for Milwaukee, which had its three-game winning streak snapped. Harden and Bucks center Larry Sanders jostled near center court with 3:19 left in the game with Houston leading handily.

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