Memphis: The Cleveland Cavaliers tied the NBA record for the most consecutive losses at 23 after losing 112-105 to Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
The Cavaliers' 23rd straight defeat matched the mark shared by the 1995-96 Vancouver Grizzlies and 1997-98 Denver Nuggets. The Grizzlies relocated to Memphis in 2001.
"I've been to the bottom. I've been to the top. So I can deal with both of them," said Cavaliers coach Byron Scott, who won three NBA titles as a player and was a member of the 1995-96 Vancouver team that set the record.
Hopeful
"We're going to break [out of] it sooner or later."
Memphis opened the fourth quarter with a blistering 13-0 run to erase a one-point deficit and dash the Cavaliers' hopes of avoiding the ignominious record.
The Cavaliers had overcome a slow start with a 14-0 run toward the end of the first quarter to open a 32-26 lead. They stretched the lead to 59-52 at halftime, and while they were reeled in after the break they managed to score the final four points of the third quarter to head into the final period leading 84-83.
"I know what it's like to be in that locker room, having coached a team that lost 23 in a row," said Grizzlies head coach Lionel Hollins, who was an assistant coach with Vancouver. "Nobody feels sorry for you. I do have to commend them on how hard they played. They really thought they could get one tonight.
"They obviously thought they could get one the last game. You have to give them their due in being professional and playing really hard."
RESULTS
Indiana 100
Portland 87
P'delphia 100
NY Knicks 98
Orlando 110
W'ton 92
Toronto 111
Mi'sota 100
Miami 109
C'lotte 97
Atlanta 101
Clippers 100
Detroit 92
N Jersey 82
Dallas 101
Boston 97
Memphis 112
Cleveland 105
Oklahoma 111
Phoenix 107
San antonio 113
S'mento 100
Utah 113
Denver 106
Home team in caps
