The Cleveland Cavaliers need a win. Somehow, some way, the Cavaliers need to find a way to end this losing streak. Tonight it is the Orlando Magic that get the opportunity to add to the losing streak which stands right now at 19 games in a row.
Most recently Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points and the Denver Nuggets cruised to a 117-103 victory over Cleveland in the Forest City on Friday. J.J. Hickson scored 24 points with 14 rebounds and Antawn Jamison had 20 points and 12 boards to lead the Cavaliers, who have dropped 29 of their last 30 games overall.
"We were on our heels the whole night," said Cleveland head coach Byron Scott.
The NBA record for most consecutive defeats in one season is 23 shared by both Vancouver (1995-96) and Denver (1997-98).
"I can care less about the record books as far as that is concerned," Scott told the Cavaliers' website. "The one record I hope we start to do is 48 solid minutes of basketball. Not 36 or 24. Let's see if we can put a streak together where we can play 48 straight minutes of good basketball."
The Magic, meanwhile, lost for the second time in three games in Chicago on Friday when Luol Deng notched 26 points and Carlos Boozer turned in a 16- point, 16-rebound performance as the Bulls got by Orlando, 99-90.
Dwight Howard was a force in defeat, going for a game-best 40 points along with 15 boards, four steals and three blocks for the Magic. Gilbert Arenas tallied 11 points in a reserve role for Orlando, while starting point guard Jameer Nelson played just eight minutes with a sore right knee.
Nelson is expected to be a game-time decision on Sunday.
"I sort of worry about the things that I can control and I don't worry about the things that I can't control," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy told the team's website. "(Nelson) will either be able to play or he won't."
Orlando has won four straight over Cleveland, including a pair of meetings this season.