PHILADELPHIA -- Down and out or down to the wire, the 76ers are freefalling toward NBA history. D.J Augustin scored 20 points and Taj Gibson had 19 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Chicago Bulls to a 102-94 win over Philadelphia on Wednesday night, handing the 76ers their 22nd straight loss. The Sixers are four losses shy of matching the NBA record for the longest single-season losing streak. The Cleveland Cavaliers set the record of 26 consecutive losses in the 2010-11 season. The Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96), Denver Nuggets (1997-9 and Charlotte Bobcats (2011-12) each lost 23 straight. "Winnable game," 76ers coach Brett Brown said. "I say that because a group thats been losing ... still stays together. They still compete. Im proud of them." The Sixers also lost their 17th straight home game since beating Charlotte on Jan. 15. They were 8-11 at home at that point and had already defeated Miami, the Bulls, and Houston in Philadelphia. After the Sixers were 3-0 following a Nov. 2 win over Chicago, fans held signs that said, "3-0. Thats No Bull." That seems like another season at times after the Sixers traded Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen at the deadline for draft picks, a necessary step for a rebuilding franchise. Unlike most of the first 21 losses in the streak, the Sixers were competitive until the final possessions, never letting the Bulls lead by more than 11. Sixers centre Byron Mullens, who hadnt attempted a shot all game, hit consecutive 3s to pull the Sixers to 83-80. He made a nifty save on a ball headed out of bounds, leading to Henry Sims bucket and a foul. With a chance to tie the game, Sims missed the free throw with 8:19 left. Thaddeus Young bailed him out a possession later with a 3-pointer that made it 85-all. Joakim Noah buried a go-ahead 3 from the top of the arc and Augustin followed with one from the sideline to put the Bulls up 91-85. Tony Wrotens 3 made it 93-90 but it was just more false hope. Carlos Boozers emphatic dunk stretched the lead to six and the Bulls did enough to hang on and move to .500 on the road (17-17). The Sixers have lost three of four by less than 10 points after losing each of the previous 10 games by double-digits. "We knew it would be this type of game," Augustin said. "We just tried to fight them until the end and it was a fight, a real fight." The Sixers could make it 23 straight with a loss Friday to New York. Then three straight on the road at Chicago, San Antonio and Houston. If the Sixers lose all of those games, the potential record 27th loss would come March 29 vs. Detroit. Young scored 24 points for the Sixers and Wroten had 17. "Were going to get one soon," Wroten said. Boozer had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Bulls and Noah added 14 points and 10 boards. The Sixers solid 11-for-24 3-point shooting was undone by a 9 of 19 mark from the free-throw line. "There is just no inch for error," Brown said. "Theres no wiggle room at all." The Sixers stayed tight and chipped away in the third, making it 64-61 on Youngs 3-pointer. Sims was 0 for 7 from the floor until his first basket cut it to 64-63. The Sixers just couldnt make the clutch basket or two to finally take the lead. Theyd get as close again as two points in the third and trailed only 75-69 at the end of the quarter. "I think Bretts done a great job with them," Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Theyve got a lot of moving parts. I give a guy like Young a lot of credit for his professionalism -- how hard he plays. They shot the ball well. The Bulls played without Derrick Rose, the former MVP point guard who tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Thibodeau said Rose could could be ready to return if he gets the call to play this summer for Team USA at the world championships. "I know hed like to do it," Thibodeau said. "I know how USA basketball feels about him. If hes cleared to do it, Id love to see him do it." NOTES: The Sixers are 3-32 since a four-game winning streak ended Jan. 4. ... The Bulls have won seven of eight against the Sixers. Bill Baumgartner Jersey Store . 9 Baylor Bears just needed some time to get on track in their first game after the Christmas break. Morgan Tiller Jersey Store . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/cosmo-iacavazzi-jersey-store/. 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But they also have holes - and injuries - in their lineup that could easily lead to the drought continuing for another year. With MLBs non-waiver trade deadline on Thursday, Blue Jays fans will be seeking additions of some sort for the stretch run. Realistically, general manager Alex Anthopoulos wont be able to pick up everything on his wish list. So the question is - what do the Blue Jays need the most in order to make the best possible run for the playoffs? Second Base With injuries to Brett Lawrie, Edwin Encarnacion and Adam Lind, the Jays have had to run with a makeshift infield for the last little while, especially at second base. On Monday, Toronto picked up third baseman Danny Valencia, a player known for hitting lefties well over his career. Valencia has experience at second base as well, joining the likes of Munenori Kawasaki, Steve Tolleson and Ryan Goins, who have helped man the position for much of the season. With Lawrie (and the others) presumably close to returning, the Jays could keep the Canadian at third and continue with a platoon situation at second, or have Valencia play the hot corner while Lawrie jumps over to second which he did for a short stint earlier this season. There have been reports that the Blue Jays have shown interest in Asdrubal Cabrera of the Cleveland Indians, as well as the Arizona Diamondbacks Martin Prado and former Jay Aaron Hill. Is the return of Lawrie and the addition of Valencia enough for the Toronto infield, or should they get more? Starting Pitching You can never have enough starting pitching. The early season debate on whether it would be a good iidea to deal Marcus Stroman for a veteran arm may seem unrealistic at this point as the rookie has arguably become the ace of the staff.dddddddddddd. R.A. Dickey, Mark Buehrle (who hasnt won a game since June 1), Drew Hutchison and J.A. Happ have all had peaks and valleys to their seasons. The injured Brandon Morrow is still a little ways away from returning and when he does, it will likely be as a reliever. Aaron Sanchez, 22, has been sharp in his two appearances from the bullpen, but John Gibbons and the Jays brass has given no indication theyll use him in a starting role this season. So does Toronto need to add a starting hurler? Jon Lester and David Price have been rumoured to be on the market, but its unlikely the Rays or Red Sox would trade within their division unless the Blue Jays come up with an incredible offer. Toronto may have to set their bar a little lower if they want to add to the rotation. Bullpen The Blue Jays bullpen hasnt been horrible this year, but it also hasnt been to the level of a season ago. Steve Delabar was an All-Star in 2013, but has spent much of 2014 with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Brett Cecil has seen an increase in his earned run average from last year and Sergio Santos never found his stride before being designated for assignment last week. Overall, Toronto has the fourth-worst reliever ERA in all of the majors at 4.37 and is tied for 10th in home runs allowed with 30. Casey Janssen, Aaron Loup, Todd Redmond and most recently Sanchez have been bright spots, but a playoff team can never have enough pitching depth. Antonio Bastardo of the Philadelphia Phillies is one player reportedly on the Jays radar. Are there any other areas on the diamond Toronto should consider investing in? What do the Blue Jays need the most in order to make the best possible run for the playoffs? As always, its Your! Call. ' ' '