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Could it end? Sixers host Celtics in bid for 1st win

Nov 19, 2014 - 3:02 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The winless Philadelphia 76ers have been a model of futility and it's clearly noticeable through 10 games.

They hope Wednesday will be the night they get off the schneid, as the Boston Celtics come to town for a matchup at Wells Fargo Center.

Philadelphia lost all four games on its recent road trip and was blown out, 311-232, on a three-game tour through Texas. There was that unforgettable 123-70 loss in Dallas, followed by an exciting 88-87 finish at Houston and the recent 100-75 defeat against San Antonio on Monday.

Michael Carter-Williams and Luc Mbah a Moute were the only scorers in double figures for the 76ers and netted 16 and 13 points, respectively. Tony Wroten was held to a season-low eight points and Nerlens Noel came off the bench to post four points and six rebounds.

"Even having 10 losses, I think we've shown we can compete," Wroten said.

Noel has come off the bench the past three games after missing the previous two with a left ankle sprain.

The Sixers, who started 0-15 in 1972-73, shot 32.5 percent and struggled from 3-point range, making 4-of-26 attempts. Philadelphia is the fourth NBA team to start a season 0-10 and Washington was the last in 2012-13 (0-12).

Philadelphia will play two straight and six of the next seven games at home and went 10-31 in its own building last season. The team's hoping to end this skid at some point in front of the home crowd, but defense will be key. The Sixers are allowing 105.4 points per game and opponents are averaging 109.8 ppg in the past five.

On the flip side, the Sixers are last in scoring with 88.5 ppg and have been outshot seven times. Committing more turnovers than assists in three of the previous four contests doesn't help the issue.

The Celtics will renew their rivalry with the Atlantic Division foes and enter Wednesday night's game having lost three in a row and six of eight games.

Boston ended a three-game homestand with Monday's 118-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns, as Eric Bledsoe put the visitors ahead with 29.5 seconds left. Celtics forward Jeff Green missed a 3-pointer and Suns center Alex Len made two foul shots to put his team up by four with 19.8 seconds left.

Celtics guard and NBA assists leader Rajon Rondo (11.6 apg) was fouled on a 3- point attempt, but missed all three shots. Rondo finished an errant 2-of-10 from the free throw line, but flirted with a triple-double, collecting 14 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists.

Green led Boston with 28 points, Tyler Zeller added 19 off the bench and Jared Sullinger scored 18 for the Celtics, who suffered another close defeat and dropped a 122-121 decision versus Cleveland last Friday.

"One of the things I'm trying to keep in mind is we've played a lot of good basketball against a lot of good teams," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.

Stevens' squad defeated Chicago on Nov. 8 and has played very well in losses to the likes of Dallas, Toronto, Cleveland and now Phoenix.

The Celtics, who will visit Memphis next, are third overall in scoring with 107.4 ppg and third-to-last in opponents' scoring (109.4 ppg).

Boston lost three of four meetings with Philadelphia last season and is just 2-5 in the previous seven visits to south Philly.