Grizzlies hand 76ers 18th straight loss

NEW YORK — Power forward Zach Randolph posted a double-double and point guard Mike Conley scored a game-high 20 points as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated Philadelphia 92-84 Sunday, sending the 76ers to their 18th consecutive loss to start the season. The 76ers tied the NBA’s all-time mark for most losses to begin a season, set in 2009 by the New Jersey Nets. It was Philadelphia’s 28th consecutive defeat dating back to last season, the longest skid by a team in any major North American sport. As has happened several times during the streak, the 76ers couldn’t hold a fourth-quarter lead. They went up 76-71 on a pair of free throws from guard Isaiah Canaan (team-high 16 points) at the 7:38 mark. However, the Grizzlies (10-8) went on an 18-3 run to go up 89-79 as Jeff Green (13 points) hit a 3-pointer at the 2:22 mark. After that, the 76ers never made it a one-possession game. Randolph finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Memphis center Marc Gasol had nine points and 12 rebounds. Forward Matt Barnes chipped in with 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists off the bench for the Grizzlies (10-8). Memphis gave the 76ers extra opportunities by committing a season-high 26 turnovers, which Philadelphia converted into 28 points. However, the 76ers, who average more turnovers than any team in the NBA, gave the ball away 27 times Sunday, leading to 25 Grizzlies points. Hornets 87, Bucks 82: Guard Nicolas Batum hit a three-pointer with 45.9 seconds remaining for the go-ahead basket as the Charlotte Hornets went on to an 87-82 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Batum’s three-pointer broke an 80-80 tie as the Hornets wound up outscoring the Bucks 7-2 in the final minute with guard Kemba Walker tacking on a jumper and two free throws in the final 24.7 seconds. Walker led the Hornets with 22 points and Batum finished with 15, though the Hornets lost center Al Jefferson seven minutes into the game with a calf injury. Clippers 107, Timberwolves 99: Forward Blake Griffin had 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, in leading the Los Angeles Clippers to a 107-99 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Point guard Chris Paul scored 20 points and recorded nine assists for the Clippers. Forward Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points, guard Zack LaVine contributed 18 points and seven assists while center Karl-Anthony Towns registered 17 points and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves. Nets 87, Pistons 83: Thaddeus Young scored 19 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Brooklyn to a come-from-behind victory over Detroit. Brook Lopez shook off a horrid start to score 15 points for the Nets, including one clutch free throw with 29.8 seconds left. The win was just the third in the last nine games for the Nets and snapped a three-game losing streak. The Pistons got 20 points and 18 rebounds from Andre Drummond. Elsewhere it was: Magic 110, Celtics 91; Suns 107, Raptors 102; Rockets 116, Knicks 111 (OT); Pacers 107, Lakers 103. — Agencies