The
Philadelphia 76ers' historic NBA losing streak is over with former Australian
national coach Brett Brown's team beating the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91.
One
more defeat for the 76ers - 0-18 heading into the match - 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 NBA's longest losing streak, 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 victory on Tuesday as Kobe Bryant and the Lakers tumbled to 2-15, the
worst record in the Western Conference.
It
was Bryant's first road game since announcing his plans to retire.
Jerami
Grant and Nerlens Noel added 14 points apiece while rookie Jahlil Okafor was
one of three 76ers players to finish with 12 points.
"I'm
pleased for the city," Sixers coach Brett Brown said. "We don't want
the streak continuing ... Obviously, this is a relief on many levels."
Bryant
was the top scorer for the Lakers, producing 20 points, two assists and five
rebounds.
Bryant's
haul also featured four three-pointers but the 37-year-old's effort was in
vain.
Bryant's
haul also featured four three-pointers. But the 37-year-old's effort was in
vain, and his final numbers were just seven-for-26 from the floor.
"God
knows I can't sustain that level of energy for 48 minutes like I used to,"
Bryant said.
On
Sunday, Bryant triggered an outpouring of tributes after confirming his
glittering 20-year NBA career would end at the end of this season.
But
it promises to be a long goodbye for Bryant in every sense, with the Lakers'
present inexperienced roster a pale imitation of the five NBA
championship-winning teams he played on during the previous decade.
Bryant's
coach from school basketball was also on hand to present a framed jersey from
his prep years.
"I'm
not the most emotional person," Bryant said. "I try not to be. But
that got to me."
Elsewhere
on 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.
Wittman's
position had been called into question after a dismal start to the campaign for
the Wizards, who reached the second round of the playoffs last year.
The
hero for Wittman was Wall, who became the first Wizards player to bag a
30-point game this season.
At
one point, the Wizards surged 22 points clear in the third quarter before
Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova reduced the deficit with 10 points in the
term.
The
Australian went on to score 15 points for the game.
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