Sixers drop 26th straight, 120-98 to Rockets

From left to right, Philadelphia 76ers’ Henry Sims, Hollis Thompson, Michael Carter-Williams and James Anderson watch the final minutes during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets, Thursday, March 27, 2014, in Houston. AP

HOUSTON,Texas—The Philadelphia 76ers equaled the National Basketball Association record with their 26th straight loss Thursday, as James Harden’s triple-double led the Houston Rockets to a 120-98 victory.

Harden had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in three quarters for his second career triple-double as Houston picked up its fifth straight victory.

The 76ers (15-57) stuck around early before a big second-quarter run allowed the Rockets to pull away and roll to the win.

Philadelphia matched the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBA’s worst losing streak and can set the record at home against Detroit on Saturday.

James Anderson led the Sixers with 30 points and made six 3-pointers.

Portland’s LaMarcus Aldridge had 25 points and 16 rebounds in his return from a back injury as the Trail Blazers beat the Atlanta Hawks 100-85.

Damian Lillard added 21 points for the Trail Blazers, who had lost seven of 10 and were in danger of falling out of the fifth spot in the Western Conference playoff standings.

The Hawks have lost five straight. They lead the Knicks by only one-and-a-half games in the race for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Jeff Teague, who was scoreless in Wednesday night’s loss at Minnesota, led the Hawks with 22 points.

At Milwaukee, Brandon Knight scored 30 points and Ramon Sessions added 22 as the Bucks beat the Los Angeles Lakers 108-105 to end an eight-game losing streak.

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