Sixers Snap Record Streak; Pick Up Win Against Lakers

The latest big surprise of the Los Angeles Lakers’ season, other than their calamitous record and Kobe Bryant’s retirement announcement, came in the form of pregame introductions against the Philadelphia 76ers.

But the Sixers snapped their 28-game losing streak, the longest run without a win in major US professional sports, spanning back to last season, thanks to Robert Covington as the franchise won for the first time since March 25.

An eight-game road trip is serving as the start of Kobe Bryant’s farewell tour. They have a chance to prove that they are not the worst team in National Basketball Association history, only the youngest.

“I’m pleased for the city”, Philadelphia coach Brett Brown said. “I want you to know now so we both can savor every moment we have left together”. “Obviously, this is a relief on many levels”.

“Finally!” Nerlens Noel said.

In Bryant’s final game in his hometown, the 37-year-old put up a performance that’s become all too common this season: 20 points on 26 shots, including 4-of-17 shooting from three-point range.

By the fourth quarter, the Philly fans had turned their attention toward the home team, chanting “Beat L.A.!” when beleaguered rookie Jahlil Okafor made a layup for a 94-80 lead.

General manager Mitch Kupchak has spent his entire career building rosters around Bryant, but the executive acknowledged frustration with the Lakers’ incredible struggles in Bryant’s final two seasons. The Lakers were 2-15 and relied on sensation Jordan Clarkson. He led all Lakers scorers in the game and shot 41.7% from the field, much better than his season average of 30.1%.

He was accorded a standing ovation when he took the court for warmups and again when he was introduced. His high school coach Gregg Downer even presented him with a framed No. 24 jersey from Lower Merion High School, the school he last played for before being drafted to the National Basketball Association.

When asked if the reaction from fans has been more than he expected, Bryant laughed and said, “Yes, I thought everybody hated me. But that got to me”.

The Sixers finally held on to a fourth-quarter lead for the first time in six games. Julius Randle notched yet another double-double, scoring 15 points and collecting a career-high 19 boards. Scored 22 points on 12 first-half turnovers.

Lakers centre Roy Hibbert (six points, 10 rebounds) got into a scuffle with several Sixers with 6:54 left in the third quarter.