Los Angeles  - Though the NBA season is less than seven weeks old, it appears to be open season on head coaches after a sixth one was was given the ax.

The struggling Sacramento Kings fired Reggie Theus on Monday after a 6-18 start, naming assistant Kenny Natt as his interim replacement.

"Another coaching change is not a pleasant situation for anybody, certainly not for myself and not for the players," said Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie.

Los Angeles  - The Philadelphia 76ers fired coach Maurice Cheeks on Saturday, one day after the team continued its slide with a season-worst offensive effort.

Expected by many to be one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, the 76ers have opened 9-14 with eight losses in their last 10 games, including Friday's dispirited 88-72 setback at Cleveland.

Los Angeles- The Charlotte Bobcats continue to make changes, signing former All-Star forward Juwan Howard on Friday, and waiving seldom-used forward Dwayne Jones.

"We are glad to be able to add Juwan to our team," Bobcats general manager Rod Higgins said in a statement. "We feel his experience and leadership will have a positive impact both on and off the court."

The move comes just two days after the Bobcats acquired Boris Diaw, Raja Bell and Sean Singletary from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Jason Richardson and forward Jared Dudley.

Los Angeles - The Boston Celtics have never been better to start a season, but they're looking for an even bigger finish.

Paul Pierce and Ray Allen scored 22 points apiece as the Celtics rolled to their season-high 13th consecutive victory, 122-88 over the woeful Washington Wizards on Thursday night.

With their most lopsided victory of the season, the Celtics improved to a league-best 21-2 mark - a record start for the famed franchise, which has won 17 NBA titles.

"It's always nice to make history when you're part of a storied franchise," Pierce said. "There aren't a lot of record-breaking opportunities with the Celtics with the history that we have.

Los Angeles - For one quarter, Carmelo Anthony went into attack mode, and then into the NBA history books.

Anthony erupted for 45 points, including a league record-tying 33 in the third quarter, carrying the Nuggets to a 116-105 home victory over the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

"That was one of the greatest quarters I've ever been apart of," said Anthony, who added 11 rebounds to his ninth career game of 40 or more points. "The most important thing is we won the game tonight."

Los Angeles - It's only December but the Phoenix Suns are already doing their spring cleaning.

The Suns sent Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and rookie Sean Singletary to the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday, in exchange for shooting guard Jason Richardson, second-year forward Jared Dudley and a 2010 second draft choice.