As the NBA's Miami Heat aim to extend a 22-game winning streak today, Cameron McMillan looks at other active streaks in sport that are equally impressive.
23 straight seasons scoring a goal - Ryan Giggs
When Giggs opened the scoring in Manchester United 2-0 win over Everton last month he continued
his record of having scored in each of the 23 seasons of his career. The 39-year-old has been at the club since 1990, netting 114 goals in 652 games, a Manchester United record. He's never been a prolific scorer, more known as a provider of goals, but it's an impressive record for its longevity.
Streak began: May 4, 1991
Streak length: 21 years, 10 months, 15 days (7990 days)
22 straight wins - Miami Heat
The Heat equalled the second-longest winning streak in NBA history after beating the Toronto Raptors 108-91 yesterday, for their 22nd consecutive victory. The win ensured the Heat tied the 2007-08 Houston Rockets but remain some distance from the record which is 33 games, set by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers. Miami will try to move into sole possession of second today when they visit the Boston Celtics who ended the Rockets' run five years ago. The NBA defending champions last lost a game was on February 1 against the Indiana Pacers improving their record from 29-14 to 51-14 over that time.
Streak began: February 3, 2013
Streak length: 44 days
18 straight games with a goal - Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi extended his Spanish league scoring streak record to 18 games on Sunday, getting two goals to move into seventh place on the La Liga career list and lead Barcelona over visiting Rayo Vallecano 3-1. The last time he didn't score for Barcelona in a 3-1 La Liga win over Celta Vigo on November 3. That was after scoring seven times in the previous three games before that. He looks to continue the streak against the same team in a fortnight and add to his season tally of 55 goals.
Streak began: November 11, 2012
Streak length: 128 days
16 straight wins - Breakers
The Breakers have been unstoppable in 2013 with their 16-game winning streak stretching back to December 13 when they followed up a defeat to the Sydney Kings, their third of the season, with a 97-76 thrashing of the Cairns Taipans. Since then they've picked up 15 more wins to take their season tally to 23. They face a big task to extend that record past the 100 day mark when they travel to Perth on Thursday in the last regular season game. After that it's the playoffs where they'll be even more keen to keep winning and pick up a third straight title.
Streak began:December 13, 2012
Streak length: 96 days
