Philadelphia 76ers Dodge Pro-Sports Record for Futility, Finally Win a Game After 26 Straight Losses

PHILADELPHIA (TheBlaze/AP) — The Philadelphia 76ers snapped their NBA record-tying, 26-game losing streak, routing the Detroit Pistons 123-98 on Saturday night to avoid establishing a new longest skid in U.S. major pro sports history.

Fans hold signs after the Philadelphia 76ers won an NBA basketball game against the Detroit Pistons, Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Philadelphia. Philadelphia won 123-98, breaking a 26-game losing streak. (Image source: AP/Matt Slocum)

The Sixers' string of consecutive losses equaled the dubious mark set by NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the 1976 and 1977 seasons; the Cleveland Cavaliers joined them, setting an NBA record with 26 straight losses during the 2010-11 season.

At least the squad — now boasting a 16-57 record — needn't fret about vying for the franchise's other claim to shame: The second-worst season record in NBA history, going 9-73 way back in 1973.

Things were finally different on Saturday night, as Michael Carter-Williams and Thaddeus Young each scored 21 points for the 76ers, who won for the first time in exactly two months and did it with surprising ease, leading by as much as 32 points. They also ended an 18-game home losing streak, which was one shy of another NBA record.

Beaten badly a number of times during their skid, the 76ers got to experience life on the other side, ringing up a season-high 70 points in the first half.