Things can't get any worse for the Cleveland Cavaliers, can they? Having found out earlier in the day that they had lost F/C Anderson Varejao for what is likely the rest of the season with a torn tendon in his foot, the Wine and Gold fought hard in Phoenix before going cold in the final minutes of a 108-100 loss to the Suns. The loss was the 10th straight for the Cavaliers.
There were bright spots, however.
Manny Harris, a rookie from Michigan, scored 27 points on 7-13 shooting. Harris hit 4-7 from three and 9-11 from the free throw line. J.J. Hickson and Antawn Jamison each scored 23 points, with Hickson grabbing 17 rebounds. Mo Williams added 12 assists for the Cavaliers.
The game was back and forth much of the night with the teams entering the 4th quarter tied at 81. A 3-pointer by Harris gave the Cavaliers an 86-81 lead with 11 minutes to go before the Suns went on a 9-2 run of their own to take a 90-88 lead with 7:00 remaining.
The teams traded baskets and the Suns led 95-94 with 4:54 to go when the Cavaliers shooting woes began. Cleveland went scoreless for nearly 3 minutes as the Suns opened up a 101-94 advantage with 2 minutes remaining. Cleveland never got closer than 5 points back the rest of the night.
Jared Dudley led the Suns with 21 points, while Steve Nash scored 20 for the Suns. Vince Carter chipped in 19.
The Cavaliers will now head for Los Angeles where they will face the Lakers on Tuesday night