BOX SCORE
HOUSTONNeed a break? The Sixers definitely do. But before heading off for four straight days of rest and relaxation, the Sixers go off with yet another defeat. Behind a 13 turnovers, including two in the final 70 seconds, the Sixers extended their season-high losing skid to five games with a 93-87 defeat to the Houston Rockets, Wednesday night at the Toyota Center.
The defeat snaps a four-game winning streak in Houston where the Sixers overcame double-digit deficits in each game.
Turning point
Villanova alum Kyle Lowry broke a tie with 1:47 to go when he hit a runner and drew a foul. The next trip down the floor, Lou Williams made just one of two foul shots before Lowry hit another bucket and drew a foul to give the Rockets an insurmountable four-point lead with 59.2 seconds left in the the game.
Follow the leader
Nik Vucevic scored a career-high with his 18 points. He also had a team-high eight rebounds. Additionally, Thad Young came off the bench to hit double-digits in scoring for the 12th time in the last 14 games (15 points).
Luis Scola led the Rockets with a double-double (19 points, 10 boards).
Stat-egic
The Sixers were shut out from beyond the three-point arc, going 0 for 8. It was the first time all season where the Sixers were shut out from beyond the arc. And though he scored 17 points, Lou Williams shot 4 for 13 from the floor. Over the last four games, Williams has shot just 28.3 percent (15 for 53).
NBA
The Sixers out-rebounded the Rockets (40-38) and scored more points in the paint (46-38) as well as a decided advantage on fast-break points (14-4). However, the Rockets shot 46.2 percent from the floor and made five three-pointers to offset the Sixers.
After making their first shot of the game, the Sixers went 2 for 16 over the first nine minutes of the first quarter.
Take a bow
Lowry scored six of his 13 points on those two crucial baskets in the fourth quarter
Whats next?
The All-Star break. For the Sixers that means four straight days off until the team gets together for its first real practice on Monday since Jan. 3. But shortly after the practice, its back to the grind for Collins guys. The Sixers open the second half on Tuesday night with a game in Detroit before returning home for a game next Wednesday against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.