76ers top Mavericks for 14th straight win

PHILADELPHIA 109 DALLAS 97

Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown acknowledged that after he told his players and the media before the season began that the goal was to make the playoffs, it “wasn’t well received” by many in the cautious front office.

Turns out, Brown had the pulse of “The Process.” Not only are the 76ers headed to the postseason, they’re poised to make some noise.

J.J. Redick scored 18 points, and the host 76ers matched a franchise record with their 14th consecutive victory, 109-97 over the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

The 76ers clinched home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs and secured their first 50win season since the 2000-01 team, which lost in the NBA Finals.

The only other time the 76ers won 14 straight in a single season was in 1983, when Julius Erving and Moses Malone delivered Philadelphia its last NBA title.

“I wouldn’t want to play these guys in the first round with them having home court,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said.

“Not in this place.”

at Toronto 112, Orlando 101: C.J. Miles scored 22 points and OG Anunoby had a career-high 21 for the Raptors, who extended their franchise records for wins (58) and home wins (34). Toronto, which already had clinched the top spot in the Eastern Conference, gave guard DeMar DeRozan and center Jonas Valanciunas the night off.

Atlanta 112, at Boston 106: Taurean Prince made seven of eight three-pointers and finished with 33 points for the Hawks. The Celtics, who clinched the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference, rested four of their starters in the fourth quarter.

Indiana 123, at Charlotte: 117: Domantas Sabonis scored a career-high 30 points off the bench for the Pacers, who kept alive their slim hopes of winning the Central Division title. Victor Oladipo had 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting.

Golden State 117, at Phoenix 100: Klay Thompson scored 34 points as the Warriors beat the Suns for the 15th consecutive time.

at Memphis 130, Detroit 117: MarShon Brooks scored 25 points for the Grizzlies, who made a season-high 16 three-pointers while allowing the Pistons to reach their own season high with 23.

Utah 112, at Lakers 97