wont be back until just before the start of trainin

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 (1997-98) 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. Carlos Vela Jersey . Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Buddy Robinson scored 43 seconds apart in the second period to lead the Binghamton Senators to a 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs in American Hockey League action Friday night at the Bell Centre. Custom Mexico Jerseys .Y. - For once, Clayton Kershaw was glad to see a long shutout streak end. http://www.soccermexicojerseysteamstore.com/hugo-ayala-mexico-jersey/ . Sam, who joined the Cowboys in early September, has spent the entire season on the practice roster. Giovani dos Santos Jersey . -- The Atlanta Braves added to their extensive wave of long-term deals with their young stars on Sunday by agreeing to a $42 million, four-year contract with All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel. Hirving Lozano Jersey . Barnard, 28, was 1-0 with a 0.53 ERA in three appearances, including two starts, with San Angel o this season. He struck out 19 batters and walked just one in 17 innings pitched. He has previous American Association experience with the Lincoln Saltdogs, El Paso Diablos and Amarillo Sox.CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton will undergo surgery Wednesday on his left ankle and will be sidelined for four months, the Carolina Panthers announced. The team said Tuesday the Pro Bowl quarterback has experienced soreness in the ankle since the end of last season and the problem simply wasnt getting better. "The ankle was sore after the San Francisco game and we wanted to see if rest would calm it down, but it is still bothering him and the decision was made to address it," Panthers trainer Ryan Anderson said in a press release. The Panthers lost to the 49ers on Jan. 12 in the NFC divisional playoffs. The surgery will be performed by Panthers team physician Robert Anderson at Carolinas Medical Center. If all goes as expected, Newton could return before training begins at the end of July. Newton led the Panthers to a 12-4 record last season and the NFC South championship. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl. The news is particularly concerning for the Panthers since Newton is expected to be working with almost an entirely new group of wide receivers this season. The Panthers released Steve Smith, the franchises all-time leader in receptions in a salary cap related move last week. Brandon LaFell, the teams other starter last season, signed with New England in free aagency while top reserves Ted Ginn Jr.ddddddddddddand Domenik Hixon signed free agent deals with Arizona and Chicago respectively. Given that Newton wont be back until just before the start of training camp means he wont have much time to develop chemistry with the new receivers the team brings in to play this season. The Panthers havent signed any free agent receivers this off-season, although they did recently visit with Jerricho Cotchery from the New York Jets. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman and coach Ron Rivera were unavailable for comment. Newtons father, Cecil Newton, reached by telephone, said he hasnt spoken to his son about the ankle and didnt feel comfortable discussing the injury in the media. He said Cam Newton has been taking classes at Auburn where he is working on his college degree. Newton has started all 48 regular season games since arriving as the No. 1 overall pick out of Auburn in 2011. This past season Newton threw for 3,379 yards with a career-high 24 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions. He also led the Panthers on five come-from-behind victories in the fourth quarter. In three seasons Newton has thrown for 11,299 yards passing with 64 touchdowns and 42 interceptions. Hes also run for 2,032 yards and 28 touchdowns. ' ' '