PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia 76ers avoided a record-setting 27th straight National Basketball Association loss with a dominating 123-98 home victory over the struggling Detroit Pistons Saturday. Thaddeus Young finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists for the 76ers, who came into the contest having lost 18 straight at home and 26 overall, equaling the longest losing streak in league history. “I am happy for the players and I am happy for the fans,” said Sixers coach Brett Brown. “I am real happy for the players.” The Cleveland Cavaliers set the NBA record with 26 straight losses in 2010-11. The Sixers' 26 losses also matched the record for the longest losing skid of any major North American professional sports team. The NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost 26 straight contests from September 12, 1976 to December 4, 1977. Michael Carter-Williams helped pace the attack in front of the crowd of 17,438 by scoring 21 points for the 76ers, who shot 52 percent from the field. Philadelphia also ended their franchise-record 18-game losing home streak at the Wells Fargo Center arena. Henry Sims tallied 16 points with seven rebounds and Hollis Thompson scored 14 points on four-of-four shooting from beyond the arc in the win. The Sixers management has been insisting all along they are in a rebuilding mode. Some Philadelphia fans have accused them of deliberately losing matches this season in order to get a prime pick in the entry draft. Greg Monroe finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Pistons, who have lost 18 of their last 22 games. Rodney Stuckey had 17 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 16 in the loss. Clippers 118, Rockets 107: Guard Chris Paul and center DeAndre Jordan carried the short-handed Los Angeles Clippers to a 118-107 victory over the Houston Rockets. The Clippers (52-22) lost All-Star forward Blake Griffin to injury early in the first half yet managed to extend their lead over the Rockets (49-23) in the race for the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs race. Paul finished with 30 points and 12 assists and Jordan added 20 points and 12 rebounds. Rockets guard James Harden had 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Heat 88, Bucks 67: Center Chris Bosh scored 14 points as the Miami Heat, resting several of their starters for much of the second half, rolled to an 88-67 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. LeBron James was relatively quiet, making five of 10 shots to finish with 13 points. Rashard Lewis and guard Toney Douglas also scored 13 each for Miami. John Henson notched 12 points and 10 assists while point guard Ramon Sessions had 15 to lead the Bucks. Spurs 96, Pelicans 80: The San Antonio Spurs defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 96-80 for their 17th successive victory, matching the franchise record set in 1995-96. Guard Marco Belinelli led the Spurs with 18 points. Forward Kawhi Leonard and guard Manu Ginobili scored 15 each. Guard Brian Roberts, back after missing two games with a knee injury, led New Orleans with 18 points. Guard Austin Rivers scored 16. Other results: Wizards 101, Hawks 97; Mavericks 103, Kings 100. — Agencies
