76ers Pursuing Infamous NBA Losing Streak
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – While the Miami Heat and Indiana Pacers are on cruise control heading towards the NBA Playoffs, one Eastern Conference team is also closing in on a record season, but not one the franchise will likely be proud to mention.
The Philadelphia 76ers have lost 21 consecutive games heading into a five game stretch that includes two games against the Chicago Bulls, one against the New York Knicks (winners of six in a row), and games against Houston and San Antonio.
If the 76ers manage to lose all of those games, the 2013-2014 team will tie the 2010-2011 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA record for consecutive losses at 26. The 76ers will host the Detroit Pistons on March 29th with a chance to break the record for consecutive losses at 27.
The Pistons may be the best chance the 76ers have to avoid setting the all-time futility mark in NBA history. Philadelphia hasn't won a game since beating the Boston Celtics on January 29. Before that, the last victory was on January 22 against the Knicks.
In Philadelphia's last 37 games, the 76ers have won just six games for a 16.2 winning percentage since the calendar turned over to 2014.
But even in Philadelphia's futility, the team isn't the worst in the NBA. As of Tuesday, Philly's overall record is 15-52 this season, just ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks, which is 13-54 in the 2013-2014 season.
Philly is no stranger to losing in the NBA. The 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers finished with the fewest wins in an NBA season when the squad had a final record of 9-73.