Cleveland Cavaliers Lose NBA-Record 25 Games in a Row: The Show Goes On
Monday night's loss against the Dallas Mavericks marked the 25th consecutive game dropped by the Cleveland Cavaliers, a mark that no team in NBA history has ever suffered.
Coincidentally, it also marks the longest streak since the 24 games lost in a row by the Cleveland Cavaliers team of 1982.
Who would have thought LeBron James really cost the city of Cleveland this badly? More than likely, not many.
This season has been one of ups and mostly downs for the James-less Cavaliers. Yet what many forget is that the season began with a 4-3 start, beating the East-best Boston Celtics in their opener and winning three consecutive games on the road.
To Cleveland's credit (or perhaps not), it's important to note that in their last four games they have either been tied or leading in the fourth quarter. This is a team that could have easily broken this streak yet has come up short on its last several attempts. The effort has been there and has been there most of the season.
Shawn Marion said it best after helping Dallas beat Cleveland in their record-setting loss Monday night.
“You know what? They are a talented team. They play hard and they compete. They get up and down the floor, they’re pushing the ball hard."
J.J. Hickson has been just short of spectacular for the Cavaliers in their last two road losses. He has averaged 28.5 points per game, scoring 26 in last night’s loss on 12-of-18 shooting. Hickson also added 13.5 rebounds on average in the two road losses, posting double-doubles in each of the two losses. In January, Hickson averaged a double-double, with just over 13 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Veteran forward Antawn Jamison has also been a significant threat on a nightly basis for the Cavaliers. His 17.2 points per game lead the team, while adding 6.6 rebounds a contest in the process. Yet despite his production this season, his name has been thrown around in trade rumors as of late.
Despite the bizarre streak, Cleveland is also one of the younger teams in the league and will certainly be going through a rebuilding process—not to mention a favorable shot at a No. 1 pick could definitely help speed up the process for the anxious Cleveland fanbase.
Grieving Cleveland fans may feel the pain of “no LeBron” more than ever with the 25 consecutive losses, but slowly look for the Cavaliers to get things going again. With their next three games at home against three of the bottom-third teams in the league, expect the streak to end soon enough.
Wednesday the Cavaliers are host to the Detroit Pistons (19-32), who are winners of two of their last six games.
