What took the Cleveland Cavaliers 36 minutes to build it took the Memphis Grizzlies less than 3 minutes to destroy. A 13-0 run to start the 4th quarter turned a 1-point Cleveland Cavaliers lead at 85-84 into a 97-85 deficit that Memphis never looked back from in sending the Cavs to a 112-105 loss, tying a NBA record for most consecutive losses in one season.
Ironically, one of the teams the Cavaliers share the record with are the Vancouver Grizzlies – in 1995-96 – who eventually moved to Memphis.
J.J. Hickson scored 31 points and brought down 15 rebounds to lead the Cavs, but was a -19 on the scoreboard – defense has been an issue with Hickson from the day he was drafted and has gotten him in the dog house with Byron Scott as well.
Antawn Jamison scored 19 points but was just 7-22 from the field – 1-8 from three point range. Ramon Sessions added 20 points and 11 rebounds while Antony Parker scored 18 points. Cleveland hasn’t won a game since beating the New York Knicks 109-102 in overtime on December 19, 2010. Their last road win came in November against the New Jersey Nets.
Sometimes it is baffling, even to me, how the Cavaliers have lost games. Take away the first 3 minutes of the 4th quarter, and the Cavaliers dominated the Grizzlies in a lot of ways. Those 3 minutes, however, when the Cavaliers are as shorthanded as they are, were the difference.
Zach Randolph scored 29 points for Memphis while Rudy Gay added 26. Former Ohio State Buckeyes basketball star Mike Conley added 21 points . Sam Young scored 19, nearly giving the Grizzlies four 20-point scorers. The Grizzlies out-rebounded the Cavs 38-33 and shot 27-30(90%) from the free throw line.
One disappointment for the Cavaiers was Manny Harris, who struggled to an 0-5 night with zero points in 18 minutes. Harris also turned the ball over 4 times.
Cleveland will look to avoid breaking the record Saturday night at home against the Portland Trail Blazers.