Philly losing streak reaches 7

ORLANDO, Fla. — Winning with Allen Iverson was difficult enough. Now the Philadelphia 76ers are learning how tough it is to get a victory without their disgruntled star.

Dwight Howard scored 28 points and Grant Hill added 23 Saturday night, leading the Orlando Magic to an 86-84 victory that extended Philadelphia's losing streak to seven games.

The 76ers played for the second straight night without Iverson, who was sent home before Friday night's home loss against Washington and told he would not make the trip to Orlando, either.

After Kyle Korver cut Philadelphia's deficit 85-84, the 76ers wasted two opportunities to tie or take the lead when Chris Webber and Kevin Ollie attempted difficult shots that failed to even hit the rim. Webber, who had 19 points and 11 rebounds, felt he was fouled when he drove the lane with 10.4 seconds left.

ROCKETS 114, WIZARDS 109: At Washington, Yao Ming scored 23 of his season-high 38 points in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets ended the Washington Wizards' winning streak at three games.

Tracy McGrady had 28 points for Houston before leaving the game in the fourth quarter clutching his back. Rafer Alston added 12 points for the Rockets in their fourth straight victory over Washington.

Gilbert Arenas shook off a ragged start to finish with 41 points for the Wizards, who were bidding for their first four-game streak since winning five straight from Feb. 4-12, 2006. Antawn Jamison added 27 points and 11 rebounds, and Caron Butler 17 points and 10 rebounds for Washington.

KNICKS 115, BUCKS 107: At New York, Eddy Curry powered his way to a career-high 36 points to lead New York to its third win in 11 home games.

Overwhelming the smaller Milwaukee frontcourt, Curry surpassed the 20-point mark for his ninth straight game. He shot 17-of-24 from the floor and scored 14 points in the third quarter, when the Knicks opened a 17-point lead by outscoring the Bucks 36-22.

Curry also grabbed nine rebounds before leaving to chants of "Eddy! Eddy!" in the closing seconds.

Jamal Crawford, starting for the injured Steve Francis, added 25 points for the Knicks, who lost point guard Stephon Marbury with an injury to his left arm midway during the third quarter.

Mo Williams scored 33 points for the Bucks and Charlie Villanueva had 24 in his second game back after missing 10 with a torn left elbow ligament. Michael Redd got off to a poor start and finished with 22.