Cavaliers set new low
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The Cleveland Cavaliers added to their unhappy resume on Monday as they went down to a record 25th straight defeat, losing 99-96 to the Dallas Mavericks.
With the loss, Cleveland broke its own record for consecutive losses in the NBA - 24 amassed in a period spanning the 1981-82 and 1982-83 seasons.
It was another lowpoint for a team whose previous defeat - to Portland on Saturday - had already set the record for the most in a single season.
The Cavaliers could have tied it with a three-pointer in the waning seconds, but failed to get a shot off and time expired.
"We're in the record books, we all know that, something we don't want to be a part of, but you can't go back and turn back the hands of time," forward Antawn Jamison said. "We've got to worry about moving forward. The most important thing is getting a win."
The Mavericks made sure the win didn't come against them.
Jason Terry scored 11 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter as Dallas stretched its own winning streak to nine - the longest active winning streak going in the league.
Shawn Marion had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Dirk Nowitzki scored 12 for Dallas.
Tyson Chandler added 12 points with 11 rebounds and Ian Mahinmi chipped in 11 points and pulled down eight rebounds.
Peja Stojakovic, making his Dallas debut, played more than 20 minutes and scored eight points with five rebounds.
J.J. Hickson scored 26 points and Ramon Sessions had 19 points and 13 assists for Cleveland, who got 18 points from Jamison.
Cleveland was expected to struggle after the pre-season departure of superstar LeBron James for Miami.
But no one predicted this.
After starting the season 7-9, the Cavaliers have gone 1-35 for a record of 8-44. Their last victory came on Dec 18.
That hasn't stopped them from playing hard, and they demonstrated their toughness in a physical game against Dallas.
Dallas' Nowitzki needed treatment on a jammed wrist and was frustrated enough by the rough play that he appeared ready to throw a punch at Sessions in the final minute.
"Punch? No," Nowitzki said. "It was nothing."
Cavs coach Byron Scott said he was pleased to see his players remain passionate.
"The guys are upset and rightfully so," Scott said. "I like that fact that guys are caring about the fact that we're losing some close games."
But the Cavaliers were again undone by mistakes.
With the Cavs trailing 80-79, 7-foot center Ryan Hollins lost a jump ball to Terry, who is 6-foot-2.
Hollins then fouled Terry on the ensuing possession, and the Dallas player hit a pair of free throws.
Christian Eyenga lofted up an airball from the lane and Terry responded with a basket on the other end.
Even so, Cleveland tied it twice in the fourth quarter and had a chance to force overtime.
Anthony Parker attempted a long three-pointer from well beyond the top of the key with about five seconds remaining and a teammate got the ball.
Cleveland had enough time left to make another shot, but Jamario Moon passed to Jamison as the buzzer sounded.
"Unfortunately, we didn't recognize the time situation. We weren't aggressive enough," Jamison said. "It's another way to come out on the other end of the stick."
The Cavaliers suffered their fourth straight loss by seven points or fewer. Nowitzki was sympathetic.
"Once you are in a funk - I was in it my first two years - it almost seems like you find a way to lose," he said. "That last possession was a perfect example."
