The Sixers kept it close but could not seal the deal. On Saturday, they dropped their 16th consecutive ball game to the lowly Utah Jazz, 104-92.
Don’t let the double-digit deficit fool you, this game actually was pretty close. In fact, the Sixers held a second-half lead. It lasted for one minute and 15 seconds, though, and that would be the end of that.
Utah was led by Gordon Heyward, who finished with 22 points. Alec Burks, who is quickly becoming a Sixer killer, added 20 points. Derek Favors had a double-double, with 15 points and 14 rebounds
The Jazz shot nearly 50% from three, as the 76ers once again struggled to defend the perimeter. On the other end, Philadelphia shot only 5-for-22 from three.
Aside from playing close, Philadelphia also had reason to take another positive from this game. Their backcourt of Michael Carter-Williams, James Anderson and Tony Wroten (though he did not start) all turned in good games. Carter-Williams played an overall strong floor game by picking five steals, dishing nine assists and grabbing five rebounds. Anderson and Wroten providing scoring, scoring 16 and 30, respectively.
Wroten, who shot 12-for-15, led all scorers. He actually had a chance to give Philadelphia the lead but came up short. After Utah went on a 7-0 run to make it an 11-point ballgame, the Sixers fought back. Amazingly, they tied the game at 91 a little later and had a chance to tie it. But Wroten had an errant lay-up attempt and could not convert.
Burks drilled a three on the other end and the Jazz went away with the game.
Now at 13 in a row, the Sixers established a new record for consecutive home losses. They are four losses away from matching the franchise record for longest losing streak.
