76ers Reach New Lows in 89-65 Loss

The Boston Celtics routed Philadelphia, 89-65, Sunday night in Boston as the 76ers set franchise records for fewest points in a half and in three quarters.

Another sign of the 76ers’ futility: They missed 65 shots, and the Celtics, who moved half a game ahead of Cleveland into eighth place in the Eastern Conference, attempted only 77.

For the second consecutive game, the Celtics faced a team without two of its best players. They beat New Jersey on Friday night when Jason Kidd and Kenyon Martin were sidelined.

All-Star Allen Iverson, who has an injured right knee, sat out for the fifth game in a row, although the 76ers had been 3-1 without him. Glenn Robinson is on the injured list after right elbow surgery.

Together, they average 43 points per game as Philadelphia’s top two scorers, more points than the entire team scored in the first three quarters when it trailed, 60-41.

Dallas 118, Orlando 88 -- Dirk Nowitzki led six players in double-figure scoring with 25 points at Orlando, and the Mavericks cruised past the Magic, which played without Tracy McGrady and lost for the eighth time in a row.

The Mavericks shot 57%, their best since shooting 58% on Nov. 11. Their 34 assists were their most in more than two months.

Of course, they were playing the NBA’s worst defense. And the Magic didn’t have McGrady, the NBA’s leading scorer whose sore left knee sidelined him for a second consecutive game.

Houston 111, Milwaukee 107 -- The Rockets led, 108-107, with six seconds left in overtime at Milwaukee when Jim Jackson made two free throws after not being called for an apparent traveling violation on the inbounds pass. Michael Redd then was called for an inbounding violation, and Steve Francis made one free throw for the final margin.

Indiana 87, Miami 80 -- Jermaine O’Neal, who sat out two games because of a knee injury, had 23 points, 14 rebounds and four blocks to lead the Pacers at Indianapolis.

Sacramento 100, Washington 92 -- Peja Stojakovic had 29 points and 11 rebounds at Sacramento, helping the Kings end a two-game skid. Chris Webber made four consecutive free throws in the last 41 seconds to hold off the Wizards.