Noah actually finishes third in assists

Philadelphia lost again, but another long streak came to an end Saturday.

Joakim Noah had led the Bulls in assists for nine straight games, impressive for a center.

Against the Sixers, he actually finished third on the team with 4 assists. D.J. Augustin and Jimmy Butler each had 6.

Noah is establishing himself as maybe the best passing big man of the past 10 years. After Saturday's win, he didn't want to take credit for his unique skill.

"It's always a good feeling to play well, but right now, it's not about that," he said. "We're trying to keep building. It's about our team. It's not about anybody individually. It's just about our team getting better. We could definitely play better than we're playing right now. We won tonight, it's a good feeling. But at the same time, be critical about what we can do better and get ready for the postseason. Should be exciting."

No wins, no quit:

Despite the long losing streak, Philadelphia has been battling opponents. They were tied with the Bulls in the fourth quarter when the teams played on Wednesday. On Friday, the Sixers trailed New York by 17 points with 5:15 remaining and ended up losing by 1.

"I'm so proud of our guys," Sixers coach Brett Brown said before the game. "You could forecast what this job in my first year was going to be. We knew there was going to be a lot of pain, real pain, with rebuilding. Losing a locker room and a team that doesn't come out and compete, I think is a coach's greatest fear. It's certainly is mine."

Philadelphia started the season with a young squad, then took it to another level by trading Evan Turner, Spencer Hawes and Lavoy Allen just before the deadline.

"It's almost, they don't know what they don't know," Brown said. "I give a lot of credit to Thaddeus Young. He blinked and he lost three friends and three fellow 25-year-olds and had to inherit a bunch of young guys."

Sixers' rare rookie:

Philadelphia guard Michael Carter-Williams is on pace to become the third player since 1950-51 to lead all rookies in points, rebounds and assists. The others were Oscar Robertson in 1960-61 and Alvan Adams in 1975-76.

Carter-Williams could become the fifth player drafted outside the top 10 to win rookie of the year. The last to do that was New York's Mark Jackson, chosen No. 18 in 1987. Others were Jamaal Wilkes (No. 11 in 1974), Woody Sauldsberry in 1957 and Don Meineke in 1952.

Bull horns:

The Bulls are 15-1 in their last 16 games following a loss. … Philadelphia missed its first 18 shots from 3-point range Saturday before center Byron Mullens finally connected early in the fourth quarter. The Sixers finished 1 for 20 from long range.