HOUSTON -- After the Philadelphia 76ers tied an NBA record with their 26th consecutive loss, one of their youngest voices spoke loudest. Michael Carter-Williams, one of six rookies on the NBAs youngest team, delivered a pep talk after James Hardens triple-double led the Houston Rockets to a 120-98 victory on Thursday night. "During the game a couple of guys had long faces ... and I found myself a little bit down," said Carter-Williams, who had 10 assists. "I just dont want anyone in this locker room feeling bad for themselves ... I think thats really important that we dont get down on ourselves and we just give up just because we have a certain amount of losses. "I just felt like I needed to speak my piece and make sure that guys are upbeat every single day." Philadelphia coach Brett Brown was impressed by the leadership the 22-year-old Carter-Williams showed. "He never would have done that two months ago," Brown said. "He wouldnt have done it two weeks ago. All these things, all these small wins we find along the way, thats our road map this year. And life moves on. The group will stay together and we will finish this thing out together." Harden had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in three quarters for his second career triple-double as Houston picked up its fifth straight victory. "We did a great job of coming out tonight and taking care of business," Harden said. "No matter what their record was, we knew they were going to come here and play hard." The 76ers (15-57) stuck around early before a big second-quarter run allowed the Rockets to pull away and roll to the win. Philadelphia moved within a game of Milwaukee for the leagues worst record. Philadelphia matched the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers for the NBAs worst skid and can set the record at home against Detroit on Saturday. "We move on," Brown said. "We are on a different path. We see this whole thing through a far different lens." James Anderson led the Sixers with 30 points and made six 3-pointers. The Sixers havent won since Jan. 29 and are two games away from going winless in two straight months. There was very little visible emotion as the final seconds ticked away and the players slowly made their way off the court. Dwight Howard added 17 points with 13 rebounds for Houston. Terrence Jones had 20 points. There were a number of lowlights as the 76ers took their spot in history. One came when Howard blocked a shot by Thaddeus Young and he fell backward to the ground. By the time he got up, the Rockets were already on the other end of the court running their offence. Another was when the Sixers got a steal, but gave it back seconds later when Youngs pass intended for Anderson sailed high over his head and into the crowd. Carter-Williams got in on the bad play action when, under heavy pressure from Harden, he simply threw the ball into the Philadelphia bench in the second quarter. But the game wasnt without some nice plays by the Sixers, who have continued to play hard during this terrible stretch. A highlight came when Casper Ware grabbed a steal and made a 46-foot heave as time expired in the first quarter. That shot was part of a 12-0 run which got the Sixers within 35-33 early in the second quarter. A nice reverse layup by Anderson tied it at 43-all midway through the second quarter before Houston used a 20-6 run to take a 63-49 lead at halftime. The Sixers missed nine shots, including three layups, and had four turnovers as the Rockets built the lead. Houston was up by 17 late in the third quarter when the team went on an 8-0 run to pad the lead to 96-71. Brown addressed the dreadful stretch before the game and he isnt interested in anyones pity. "I hope they feel good about themselves," he said. "I dont want anyone feeling sorry for us or hanging our head ... we are going through something and we will get through it together." He also discussed their plan for rebuilding at length, saying he knew what he was getting into when he took the job and insisted this skid hasnt been difficult for him. "I can tell you very, very sincerely that this is something that in a twisted way is enjoyable in regards to watching the young guys get better," he said. "Obviously at times its hard going through it ... (but) I feel like were heading in the right direction." None of that can erase the fact that this streak now has its place in history as one of the worst in all of the four major professional sports. According to STATS LLC, the longest streaks in the other major sports are held by: -- In the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 26 losses in row, from Sept. 12, 1976-Dec. 4 1977. -- In MLB, the Philadelphia Phillies, 23 losses in a row, from Jan. 29, 1961-Aug. 20, 1961. -- In the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins, 18 losses in a row, from Jan. 13, 2004-Feb. 22, 2004. NOTES: Former Rockets and Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone attended the game. Malone also played for the 76ers. ... Houston point guard Pat Beverley sprained his right knee in the first half and didnt return. Custom Indianapolis Colts Jerseys . -- Arkansas didnt need a spectacular dunk to beat No. Marvin Harrison Jersey . The San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders are giving it a try, too. http://www.officialindianapoliscoltspro.com/Andrew-luck-colts-jersey/ . Though the 26-year-old said he was able to participate, coach Dwane Casey kept Johnson out as a precaution. Malik Hooker Jersey . -- Brendan Leipsic had two goals and an assist and Nicolas Petan extended his point streak to 11 games as the Portland Winterhawks slipped past the Red Deer Rebels 5-4 on Saturday in Western Hockey League action. Marshall Faulk Jersey . What they did need, the Devils got from Patrik Elias. Elias scored a power-play goal 40 seconds into overtime to give the New Jersey Devils a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars.MELBOURNE, Australia - In their latest public display of friendship, Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki posted a photo of getting their nails done before the Australian Open. The camaraderie, in a sport better known for its rivalries, has prompted discussion among players on what its like in the locker room and behind-the-scenes with top womens tennis stars.Is everyone friends? The answer: it depends who you ask.The No. 1-ranked Williams, who plays her fourth-round match Sunday and is known for having some of the highest-profile rivalries on the tour, says the mood has changed since she joined the professional ranks way back in the 90s.Its like a big family now, said Williams, who at 33 is pushing for her 19th Grand Slam title and shows no sign of easing her dominance. She came of age during a different era, recalling that rivals Steffi Graf and Monica Seles never spoke.When youre young, you really idolize those people. I wanted to do what they did. I was really quiet. I did my own thing, Serena told a news conference at the Australian Open. I just tried to copy them.Now, things are different, partly because players spend more time together due to the packed schedule of tournaments year-round.I definitely think people talk a little bit more now than back in the 90s, said Williams, who faces No. 24 Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinals. We travel 10, 11 months of the year together. So you just know everyone.Social media has played a big role in opening a window into the players private lives, with many posting comments to each other or photographs of their off-court friendships.The former No. 1-player Wozniacki, who exited in the second round of this years Australian Open, shared the picture of herself and Williams getting pedicures the weekend before the tournament started.Asked about competing against a friend at the top level, Wozniacki later said: Whenever youre on court, you just want to win. It doesnt matter who is on the other side.The two friends faced off in a Grand Slam final at last years U.S. Open, which Williams won. Two days later, Wozniacki showed up to support Williams at her first runway show during New York Fashion Week. Williams then live tweeted from the New York City Marathon as she cheered on Wozniacki, who ran an impressive 3 hours and 26 minutes.Is it normal to cry when someone finished (a) marathon? So proud of you Caro, Williams tweeted after the race. The two have been spotted at the beach, hockey games, basketball games and concerts.ddddddddddddWilliams has been quoted as saying that Wozniacki is her closest friend on the circuit other than her sister, Venus.Naturally, though, tense rivalries remain, and Williams doesnt like to talk about them. There was great speculation about Williams apparently icy relationship with Sloane Stephens, after the young American upset the No. 1-ranked player in the 2013 Australian Open quarterfinal.No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday, has publicly said she has no friends on the womens tour. She and Williams have long had a not-so-friendly rivalry that made headlines in 2013 when the pair traded personal barbs relating to their romantic relationships.Williams could face Sharapova in the final. To have any chance of that happening, Sharapova has to clear a quarterfinal hurdle against rising star Eugenie Bouchard, a rematch of last years French Open semifinal that Sharapova won en route to the title.The No. 7-ranked Bouchard also prefers to keep competitors at a distance.I dont want to become really good friends with any of the girls on the tour, said the Wimbledon finalist. I come here, do my job, and leave. I think thats the best way for me to stay focused and not really have distractions.Asked what its like in the locker room, Bouchard laughed.Im sure you imagine Mean Girls or something. Its not like that, said the 20-year-old Canadian, referring to Hollywoods take on a mean-spirited high school clique. Its pretty chill, pretty relaxed. Were all friendly and talking to each other.For what its worth, Mean Girls happens to be Bouchards favourite movie.Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka says her perspective has changed over the years, and she wants to get to know more players.Not that I wasnt friendly, but its nice to get to know girls, said Azarenka, unseeded here because her ranking fell late last year during an injury layoff. She faces No. 11 Dominika Cibulkova in the quarterfinals.On the court there are no friends, unless there are umpires you try to be nicer to, the 25-year-old Azarenka said. But off the court, she would like to make an effort and build friendships — possibly with Sharapova or other players who have residences near her in the Los Angeles area.I havent hit with any girls yet, Azarenka said. I know Maria lives there. But we havent hit yet. Hopefully, maybe one day it will happen. 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