Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011

Dallas (AP) The Cleveland Cavaliers lost their way into the NBA record book in fitting fashion — not with a blowout, but with the kind of head-slapping plays typical of a team that can't do anything right.

Part of history: Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks drives around Cleveland's Antawn Jamison in the first half on Monday night. Dallas beat the Cavaliers 99-96. AP PHOTO

Like a 213-cm center losing a jump ball to a 188-cm guard. And a decent outside shooter deciding to pass as time expired instead of putting up a potential tying 3-pointer.

The miscues doomed the Cavs to a 99-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, making it 25 straight losses, the most in league history no matter how it's counted.

Cleveland set the single-season futility record a few days ago, but the league also keeps an overall losing streak record that takes into account skids stretched over two seasons. This topped that one, too, making the first year of the post-LeBron James era even more forgettable for the Cavaliers. The previous mark also was set by the Cavs, spanning the end of the 1981-82 season and the start of 1982-83.

"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.

Cleveland led by seven in the first quarter, got down by 15, but kept clawing back. The Cavs tied it early in the fourth quarter, then were down only 80-79 when center Ryan Hollins lined up for a jump ball against Dallas guard Jason Terry.

Terry won the jump ball, and the Mavs went on to win the game.

Rockets 108, Nuggets 103

In Denver, Kevin Martin scored 37 points and Houston beat the hosts despite Carmelo Anthony's 50-point effort that tied his career high.

Lakers 93, Grizzlies 84

In Memphis, Kobe Bryant scored 19 points and Lamar Odom had 15 points and 11 rebounds to carry Los Angeles.

Bobcats 94, Celtics 89

In Charlotte, Gerald Wallace scored 19 points and the Bobcats overcame top scorer Stephen Jackson's ejection to beat the short-handed Celtics.

Boston's Ray Allen scored 25 points and hit two 3-pointers, leaving him two shy of breaking Reggie Miller's NBA career record of 2,560.

Timberwolves 104, Hornets 92

In New Orleans, Kevin Love had 27 points and 17 rebounds, tying a franchise record with his 37th straight double-double, to lead Minnesota.

Blazers 109, Bulls 103

In Portland, LaMarcus Aldridge had a career-high 42 points and the Trail Blazers defeated Chicago.

Derrick Rose had 36 points for the Bulls.

Jazz 107, Kings 104

In Sacramento, Al Jefferson scored 23 points and Deron Williams had 21 points and nine assists to help Utah rally past the Kings.

Suns 104, Warriors 92

In Oakland, Steve Nash had 14 points and 15 assists, leading Phoenix over Golden State on his 37th birthday.

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