Sixers held an early edge against Memphis and played a competitive first half. The Grizzlies w

WASHINGTON -- After yet another loss for his New York Knicks in whats been a trying -- not to mention 3-9 -- start to the season, Carmelo Anthony did not attempt to pretend everything is wonderful right now. "Its a very tough time," Anthony said. "This is a time where you could easily put your head down and mope around, but I cant do that." Taking their poor home-court play on the road, the Knicks allowed Washingtons John Wall to score 31 points and dropped into a last-place tie in the Atlantic Division by getting beaten 98-89 at the Wizards on Saturday night. "We didnt put a full 48 minutes together tonight," said Anthony, who led the Knicks with 23 points and 12 rebounds. "We played three-fourths of the game -- and that one quarter, they took advantage." Washington trailed 52-49 at halftime, but outscored New York 27-17 in the third quarter and never trailed again. Wall registered at least 30 points in consecutive games for the first time in his NBA career, after scoring 37 in a loss to Toronto on Friday. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft also had seven assists and a soaring block on Iman Shumperts layup attempt in the closing seconds. "John backed up last nights game with another really good game for him. Playing the right way, taking really good shots," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "When he plays and takes what (a) defence gives him -- (that) is the prime thing that he needs to do." Knicks coach Mike Woodson described his teams performance as "flat" and declared: "The only bright spot about tonight was Amare Stoudemire." Thats not a great sign when the best thing you can point to is that one of your many players who is either injured or returning from injury managed to play 21 1/2 minutes and contribute 12 points. Stoudemire surpassed his previous season best in points -- six -- by early in the second quarter, and he even delivered a forceful fast-break dunk. "We cant keep losing these games," said Stoudemire, whose club has the same record as the Brooklyn Nets. Marcin Gortat added 16 points and 17 rebounds for the Wizards, who have won three of four games to improve to 5-8. Martell Webster scored 19, and Bradley Beal 18, making up for a paltry six points from Washingtons reserves. J.R. Smith scored 15 for the Knicks, who shot only 44 per cent on field-goal tries and were awful at the foul line, finishing 6 for 15. Smith himself was 0 for 4. Knicks centre Tyson Chandler remains out with a broken leg, and they were without point guard Raymond Felton for a third consecutive game because of a sore back. Woodson went without a true point guard for stretches of the fourth quarter. Wall definitely noticed. "We know its a different team without Raymond," Wall said, "because Raymond does a great job of penetrating and getting shots for those guys." While theyd been decent on the road so far -- 2-2 entering Saturday, compared to 1-6 at home -- this was not the Knicks finest hour. In addition to missing Feltons direction and Chandlers pick-and-roll possibilities on offence, the defence had no one fast enough to slow down Wall at all. Wall started 7 for 7 on field-goal attempts and scored more than half of Washingtons points -- 17 of 33 -- over the games first 14 1/2 minutes. Later, his floater in the lane made it 76-69 entering the fourth. Apparently, Woodson figures it already is time for some 1-on-1 meetings with players to make sure the season is not slipping away. That included a chat with Anthony after practice Friday. "I just wanted to see where his head was," Woodson said, "and making sure that everybody stays the course. Not just Melo. Ive had some sit-downs with a few guys, just to let them know its still a long season and weve got to start picking it up." Notes: Woodson said that Felton is day to day. "Im sure when hes ready, hell let us know, but right now hes not," Woodson said. ... Wizards coach Randy Wittman is not sure when first-round draft pick Otto Porter will be able to play -- or even practice with his teammates. Andrija Novakovich Jersey . James Erskine said Tuesday that Thorpe was "quite sick" in a Sydney hospital but dismissed media reports the swimmer might lose the use of his left arm. "Hes not in the intensive care," Erskine said. Gyasi Zardes Jersey . Today, well look at five frontcourt players today, here from the Bay Area. 1. AMIR JOHNSON (Raptors): I cant figure out what the issue or problem is, but based upon what Im seeing, hes not right. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/kellyn-acosta-usa-jersey/ . Prado stuck his glove down with Colorados Charlie Blackmon sliding into the bag, and quickly jumped back in pain after applying the tag. Prado held his left wrist as trainers came out of the Diamondbacks dugout to check him. USA Soccer Jerseys .com) - Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was named the National League Player of the Month for April. Clint Dempsey Jersey . Louis, MO (SportsNetwork.PHILADELPHIA -- Moments after the final horn sounded, the Twitter feed @didthesixerswin posted an update. For the 20th straight game, 140 characters werent needed, just two letters: No. In a city painfully familiar with sports futility, the Philadelphia 76ers have added another sorry chapter, this one for the record book. Mike Conley scored 19 points and Zach Randolph had 14 to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 103-77 win Saturday night, sending the 76ers to a franchise-tying 20th straight loss. The Sixers, who scored a season low in points, can set the team mark with a loss Monday night at Indiana. The Sixers also lost 20 straight games from Jan. 9, 1973-Feb. 11, 1973, in a 9-73 season. The NBA record for consecutive losses in a season is 26 set by the 2010-11 Cleveland Cavaliers. "We have to come out swinging," coach Brett Brown said. "Weve got to compete." Theyve absorbed their share of blows, and more may be coming: Over the next six games, the Sixers (15-51) play only one team with a losing record, the Knicks on Friday, and they are on a six-game winning streak. Michael Carter-Williams led the Sixers with 23 points and Thaddeus Young had 20. "This is not slit-your-wrist time. This is not even close to that," Brown said. "This is about building a program and understanding the short-term pain for a lot of long-term gain. Thats my vision. Thats how I approach it." As the NBA season tipped off, the over-under in Las Vegas for total wins for the 76ers this year was 16.5, the lowest of any team in the league. They stunned the league with a 3-0 start, including an opening-night win over the Miami Heat, and won four straight road games from Dec. 29-Jan. 4. Outside of those spurts, the Sixers have played down to their preseason projection as one of the NBAs worst. "Any win we have right now would be considered an upset," Brown said. "Thats the way its played out at this stage." The Sixers last won on Jan. 29 on former guard Evan Turners buzzer-beater at Boston. Theyve lost a team-record 16 straight home games, last winning at the Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 15. "I try to ignore the comments about us losing however many straigght," Carter-Williams said.dddddddddddd The 53-year-old Brown was part of three NBA title teams with San Antonio as an assistant and won another with the Spurs when he served in the basketball operations department in 1998-99. Brown is used to a winning program at San Antonio, so hes not familiar with starting from the bottom. But the Sixers realize its not an overnight process and gave him a four-year contract to turn things around. "Ive been asked by so many people, Why would you take the job and screw up your coaching percentage?" he said. "As if I care about that. I knew what I was getting in to." The free-falling Sixers are gaining fast on Milwaukee (13-53) for the worst record in the NBA. Unlike Friday nights loss against Indiana when they never led, the Sixers held an early edge against Memphis and played a competitive first half. The Grizzlies were coming off a 99-86 loss at Toronto on Friday and needed some time to warm up in Philly. Once they got going, they became just the latest team to stomp the Sixers. "Its scary because theyre looking to get a win and theyre going to do whatever it takes to get one," Conley said. Conley did his part to avert an upset, scoring nine points during Memphis 15-6 run to open the second half that stretched the lead to 18. He kept the lead rolling with a 3-pointer and a fast-break layup off a turnover for a 67-46 lead. The Grizzlies, winners of 12 of 16, had 13 players score and their 29-point lead in the fourth was their largest of the season. Even a bit of an off night was enough for Memphis to cruise: The Grizzlies made only 4 of 15 3-pointers, were outrebounded, and had 22 turnovers. Marc Gasol scored 11 points, Ed Davis had 11 rebounds, and the Grizzlies had 27 assists on 38 baskets. "Its a good rhythm, but its not where we want to be yet," Gasol said. "Its always on the good side. Its always better than losing, thats just for sure." Just ask the Sixers. NOTES: The 76ers sent F Arnett Moultrie, the 27th overall pick in the 2012 draft, to the D-League. He played only 12 games this season. "Hes a young player, hes a first-round draft pick, he needs to play," Brown said. ' ' '