LOS ANGELES: The struggling Philadelphia 76ers finally got a break on Friday night that broke the Boston Celtics’ winning streak.
Elton Brand came off the bench to score 23 points, including the game-winning tip-in with 7.7 seconds, and the lowly Sixers snapped the Celtics’ season-high 11-game run with a 98-97 road victory.
“We just got a lot of heart and we just got a break,” Brand said.
“Our record (7-19) is not conducive to how hard we play and how many games we’ve been in. We’ve lost so many games by one point by just having a turnover or missing a shot or free throw.
“So it’s good to get a break and get a win, especially against a team that has 11 victories in a row, and arguably the best team in the league.”
Andre Iguodala scored 18 points, Marreese Speights had 17 with 10 rebounds for the Sixers, who without injured Allen Iverson (hamstring) won for just the second time in the last 15 games and stopped an eight-game road slide.
The Sixers fell behind by 15 on two occasions before staging a late rally to deny the Celtics an NBA season-high 12th straight victory.
Trailing by one, Speights missed a 15-foot jumper. However, Brand tipped in the miss over Paul Pierce for what proved to be the difference-maker.
After a Celtics’ timeout, Pierce misfired a potential go-ahead step-back jumper. Teammate Ray Allen (17 points) picked up the loose ball, but his rushed jumper also missed at the buzzer, sending Boston to its first loss since November 20 against Orlando.
“I thought I got a good look at the rim, it felt good coming out of my hands,” Pierce said. “Sometimes the ball bounces that way. It’s a tough one to swallow.”
Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Boston (20-5).
Rajon Rondo added 13 points with 10 assists, while Kendrick Perkins finished with 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Rockets 116 Mavericks 108 (OT): Kyle Lowry had a career-high 26 points with 10 assists off the bench, Aaron Brooks scored nine of his 25 in overtime and the visiting Rockets stopped the Mavericks’ five-game winning streak
Dallas (19-8) played without its leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki in the second half. The German star drove to the basket in the second quarter and caught Carl Landry with a forearm in the face.
Wizards 118 State Warriors 109: Gilbert Arenas erupted for season-highs of 45 points and 13 assists, Caron Butler had 28 points with 10 rebounds, and the visiting Wizards stopped a six-game slide. Monta Ellis had 30 points and Stephen Curry added 27 in Golden State’s (7-19) fifth straight defeat.
Hornets 98 Nuggets 92: Chris Paul had 26 of his 30 points after intermission to go along with a season-high 19 assists, and nine rebounds, helping the Hornets (12-13) overcome a 15-point first-half deficit. J R Smith led visiting Denver (19-8) with 25 points.
Knicks 95 LA Clippers 91: David Lee scored 17 of his 25 points in the second half, Chris Duhon had 17 with 10 assists and eight rebounds as the host Knicks (9-17) erased a 20-point deficit. Chris Kaman had 20 points and Baron Davis added 19 for the Clippers (11-14) who were outscored 53-33 after intermission.
Thunder 109 Pistons 98: Kevin Durant scored 27 points, Jeff Green added 19 and the host Thunder stopped a three-game slide, despite a season-high 31 by Rodney Stuckey.
Grizzlies 107 Pacers 94: Zach Randolph had 26 points with 16 rebounds, Spaniard Marc Gasol added 17 with 14 boards, powering the Grizzlies (11-15) past the visiting Pacers.
Hawks 96 Jazz 83: Josh Smith had 16 points, Marvin Williams added 15 and the Hawks outscored the visiting Jazz 37-17 in third quarter en route to their sixth straight win.
Timberwolves 112 Kings 96: Kevin Love had 20 points with 16 rebounds, Corey Brewer also scored 20 and the T-Wolves’ dropped the Kings to a league worst 1-12 on the road.
Raptors 118 Nets 95: Amir Johnson had a season-high 18 points, Italian Andrea Bargnani added 16, and the host Raptors handed the league-worst Nets (2-25) their sixth straight loss.
