The Indiana Pacers hit a milestone on Monday night while the sorrowful Philadelphia 76ers continue to drop like a rock.
Lance Stephenson scored 25 points, Paul George had 24 and the host Pacers won their 50th game of the season while sending the Sixers to a franchise-record 21st straight loss, 99-90.
The Sixers’ slide is tied for the sixth-longest in NBA history and is five shy of the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers’ record 26. George Hill had 11 points and backup centre Ian Mahinmi added 10 for the Pacers (50-17), winners of four in a row despite shooting a frosty 38 per cent from the field.
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After Philadelphia pulled to within 88-85, Michael Carter Williams (15 points, 13 rebounds and five assists) missed the potential game-tying 3-pointer with just over two minutes remaining.
Instead, the Pacers would go on a decisive 14-2 closing run. Hill splashed in a triple from the right corner, Roy Hibbert turned an offensive rebound into a three-point play to open a 94-85 cushion.
George then soared in for a thunderous dunk and hit the ensuing free throw after drawing a foul to send the infamous Sixers into the record books.
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Thaddeus Young had 23 points, Tony Wroten and Hollis Thompson added 17 apiece for the Sixers (15-52) whose last win came Jan. 29 at Boston.
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