NBA: Coach, Mind If We Take Tonight Off? The League's Strange Losses

Even the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs can prove to be far too human and lose games to the bottom-feeders of the NBA.

Last night the Lakers lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-99. This is the same Cavaliers team they defeated earlier in the season by 55 points.

No need to fear though, these games happen.

Charlotte Bobcats Own the Lakers

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats against the Boston Celtics during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 11, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that,

For some reason, the Bobcats always seem to figure things out against the Lakers.

Their recent 109-89 victory improved their mark to 8-2 over Los Angeles in their last 10 meetings.

Michael Jordan Also Finds A Way To Beat His Old Team and The Celtics

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Former player Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls talks to a fan before the Bulls take on the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees

It's almost as if Michael Jordan himself is on the floor down the stretch of the Charlotte Bobcats vs. Chicago Bulls games this season.

Despite their most recent loss, the Bobcats had defeated the Bulls two times with margins of victory under five points in both victories.

The Bobcats are 24-32 overall but are a surprising 4-1 against the Lakers, Bulls, and Celtics.

Cleveland Goes Down Big to Minnesota Timberwolves

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 03: Kevin Love #42 of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks on before the game against the Boston Celtics on January 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by download

This may seem like a strange inclusion into the strange losses list, but this game was the beginning of the end for Cleveland.

On Dec 2 they had their hopes and spirits crushed by LeBron James and the Miami Heat. On December 4 the Timberwolves proceeded to kick the crap out of a broken franchise.

Minnesota won 129-95 which was an even bigger beat down than the one Miami gave them two nights earlier (118-90). This was the moment when you knew the Cavaliers were not a 7-11 team destined for a possible eight seed, this was a Cavaliers team about to lose 34 of their next 37 games. 

Minnesota Has Chris Paul Figured Out

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 29: Chris Paul #3 and Marcus Thornton #5 of the New Orleans Hornets react after losing to the Los Angeles Lakers 103-88 at the New Orleans Arena on December 29, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

The New Orleans Hornets have a 20 game cushion between themselves and the last place Timberwolves.

However, if Minnesota were ever to catch up, the Timberwolves 2-0 mark against the Hornets would give them the tiebreaker.

Both games were decided by 12 or more points.

The Heat Before They Were Hot

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PHOENIX - DECEMBER 03: Danny Granger #33 of the Indiana Pacers during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on December 3, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Pacers 105-97. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Before the Miami Heat became the "Heatles" they were a struggling 8-5 squad. The Pacers took advantage of the moment.

The Pacers came into South Beach and won 93-77.

Milwaukee Bucks Figured It Out for One Night

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MILWAUKEE, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Brandon Jennings #3 of the Milwaukee Bucks and Steve Blake #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers battle for a loose ball at the Bradley Center on November 16, 2010 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Lakers defeated the Bucks 118-107. NOTE TO

Hidden in the underachieving Milwaukee Bucks season is a 98-79 victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles.

All video evidence has been destroyed.

It Even Happens To the San Antonio Spurs

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 05: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts to a traveling call against him in the first half against the Boston Celtics on January 5, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Even a team like the San Antonio Spurs who have only lost nine games all season had their own strange loss.

The Spurs, who have become a better offensive team this year, were only able to put up 71 points in a loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

Boston Is the King Of Strange Losses

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: J.J. Hickson #21 of the of the Cleveland Cavaliers heads for the net as Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics defends on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Toronto Raptors.

Detroit Pistons.

Charlotte Bobcats.

All got the best of the Celtics at one point this season. The Celtics can still beat anyone in the NBA, but they also are the most notorious for seeming to take nights off and lose to the basement dwellers.

Cleveland Cavaliers Lost LeBron and 46 Games so Far but Beat Boston and L.A.

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MIAMI, FL - JANUARY 31: Antawn Jamison #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Zydrunas Ilgauskas #11 of the Miami Heat during a game against at American Airlines Arena on January 31, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges a

Want a bright spot in the Cavaliers 10-46 season so far?

How about victories over the two time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and reigning Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics.

Maybe the key to the Cavaliers success is they just need to play the NBA elite more often...

Eh, maybe not.