PHILADELPHIA (AP) Kobe Bryant won over the fans. He just couldn’t beat the previously winless Philadelphia 76ers.
With the spotlight on Bryant during the final game of his career in his hometown, the Sixers stole the show and defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-91 on Tuesday night for their first victory of the season.
The Sixers had lost their first 18 games, and 28 overall dating to last season – the longest skid in the history of major professional sports in the United States. But they remained tied for the worst start in NBA history with the 2009-10 New Jersey Nets, who also opened 0-18.
Robert Covington scored 23 points for the Sixers, who won their first game since March 25 at Denver.
Bryant, who will end his 20-year career this season, opened the first leg of his farewell tour in his hometown and was feted with the kind of reverence and gratitude normally reserved for a Sixers great.
He buried a 3-pointer off the opening tip and hit another 3 on the next possession. Bryant made it 3 for 3 and had the Philly crowd chanting ”M-V-P!” as he turned back the clock to his championship form. He scored 20 points on 7-of-26 shooting and made four 3s.
Washington’s John Wall scored a season-high 35 points as the Wizards handed the Cleveland Cavaliers their first home loss of the season 97-85.
The Wizards, who never trailed, scored the first 10 points of the game and went on a 9-0 run to begin the second half in snapping a four-game losing streak.
LeBron James had 24 points, but the Cavaliers lost for the first time in 10 games this season at Quicken Loans Arena.
In New Orleans, Marc Gasol scored a career-high 38 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Pelicans 113-104.
The Pelicans lost despite the return of starting guard Tyreke Evans and top reserve Norris Cole. Evans had 20 points and 10 assists, but that wasn’t enough to overcome a Grizzlies squad that scored 52 points in the paint and missed only one of 26 free throws.
The Orlando Magic edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 96-93 for its fourth straight victory after Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 12 rebounds.
Elfrid Payton had 14 points and eight rebounds, and Andrew Nicholson scored 15 for the Magic, who have won four straight for the first time since December 2012.
Deron Williams had a season-high 30 points as the Dallas won 115-112 in overtime over the Trail Blazers in Wesley Matthews’ first trip back to Portland since signing with the Mavericks as a free agent, while Brook Lopez scored 23 points as the Brooklyn Nets beat the Phoenix Suns 94-91.
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