Thunder-Wizards combine to make worst matchup ever
Posted Dec 27 2008 11:34PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Washington Wizards beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 104-95 on Saturday in an historic NBA matchup neither wanted.
Until now there had never been an NBA game matching teams who had played at least 25 games and had the two worst records in the league, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
The Wizards broke an eight-game losing streak, their longest since 2001, with just their fifth win against 23 losses. Oklahoma City fell to 3-28.
"I don't feel we're a three-win team," Oklahoma City interim coach Scott Brooks said. "Unfortunately, we are."
The Thunder won 20 games last season as the Seattle SuperSonics, and were expected to be among the NBA's worst teams. It's much more of a surprise that Washington has imploded. A playoff team for the last four seasons, the Wizards would have to win 36 of their final 54 games just to finish with an even number of wins and losses.
"In abnormal circumstances, every game is a must-win," Wizards interim coach Ed Tapscott said.
Neither Tapscott nor Brooks has a guaranteed a job beyond this season. The Thunder fired P.J. Carlesimo on Nov. 21 after dropping 12 of 13 games, and Washington jettisoned Eddie Jordan three days later after the Wizards started 1-10.
Brooks started 2-15 with the Thunder, and Tapscott was just 4-13 in his first experience as a coach since American University more than two decades ago.
"We have a chance to win every game," Brooks said. "We have to continue to fight and work through our issues. We have to figure out ways to win."
The worst record of any NBA team belongs to the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers. Like the Thunder, they had a 3-27 record through 30 games and finished 9-73.
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