76ers Trying to Avoid Record-Tying 18th Straight Loss to Open Season

The Philadelphia 76ers enter Wednesday's road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves hoping to avoid tying the NBA record for most consecutive losses to begin a season, per ESPN Stats & Info.

The 2010-11 New Jersey Nets set the mark at 18 games, while the 76ers are currently tied for second place at 17 games with the 1988-89 Miami Heat and 1998-99 Los Angeles Clippers.

The good news for Philadelphia is that Wednesday's opponent is immensely beatable, as evidenced by the Timberwolves' 4-12 record and minus-10.6 point differential.

Of course, as bad as that point differential may be, it's still far better than the minus-14.4 mark the 76ers own entering Wednesday's game.

Philadelphia can partially blame the schedule for its dreadful start, as eight games against Western Conference opponents have offset the fact that the 76ers have played 10 of their first 17 contests at home.

According to Basketball-Reference.com's measure of strength of schedule, Philadelphia has faced the league's sixth-toughest slate at the conclusion of Monday's action.

Still, the 76ers are a pretty good bet to earn sole possession of an unwanted piece of history, with Wednesday's game in Minnesota followed by a home contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

While just 5-12 heading into Tuesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Thunder finally have superstars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy.