The Philadelphia 76ers avoided tying the record for the worst start to a season in NBA history, ending their 0-17 skid with an 85-77 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Michael Carter-Williams had 20 points, nine rebounds and nine assists and Robert Covington added 17 points to keep Philadelphia from tying the 0-18 start by the New Jersey Nets in 2009-2010.
The Sixers shot just 39 percent against the worst defense in the league and turned the ball over 19 times. They scored only nine points in the second quarter, but in the end there were smiles and hugs for the first time this season.
Gorgui Dieng had 15 points and 16 rebounds for the Timberwolves.
CELTICS 109, PISTONS 102, OT
In Boston, Jeff Green scored 32 points, including a three-pointer as Boston opened overtime with eight straight points, and snapped a five-game losing streak.
The loss was the 10th in a row for Detroit. Greg Monroe scored 15 of his 29 points after the 3 minute, 13 second mark of the fourth, when the Pistons erased an 11-point deficit. However, Detroit never recovered after giving up the first three baskets — including a pair of three-pointers — to start the extra period.
Andre Drummond had 27 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and five blocked shots, including Green’s potential game-winner at the end of regulation, for Detroit. Brandon Jennings had 12 assists and one point on 0-for-11 shooting.
Kelly Olynyk had 20 points and seven rebounds for Boston, who had lost six in a row at home.
NETS 95, SPURS 93, OT
In New York, Mirza Teletovic had a season-high 26 points and a career-best 15 rebounds starting in place of Kevin Garnett, and Brooklyn snapped San Antonio’s eight-game winning streak.
The Nets regrouped in overtime after blowing a 14-point lead in the final 5 minutes of regulation and beat a team with a winning record for the first time this season.
HAWKS 112, HEAT 102
In Miami, Jeff Teague scored 27 points, Kyle Korver scored 18 and Atlanta handed Miami another home loss.
Dennis Schroder scored 16 and Paul Millsap finished with 14 for the Hawks, who beat the Heat for the second time in two meetings this season. An 18-5 run to end the third quarter was the deciding blow for Atlanta, who led by 10 in the first quarter, 14 in the second and pushed the margin to 88-72 going into the final 12 minutes.
The Hawks have now won four straight and six of seven.
In other NBA action, it was:
‧ Clippers 114, Magic 8
‧ Mavericks 107, Bucks 105
‧ Bulls 102, Hornets 95
‧ Raptors 123, Jazz 104
‧ Rockets 105, Grizzlies 96
‧ Wizards 111, Lakers 95
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