The Cleveland Cavaliers hope somehow to avoid setting a new NBA record for longest losing streak, when they take on the Mavericks tonight in Dallas. With 24 straight losses at the moment, this year's Cavs share the league record with... the Cavaliers at an earlier point in franchise history, as Cleveland also lost 24 in a row from late in the 1981-82 season carrying over into the 1982-83 campaign.

Even more embarrassing for this year's Cavs is how they've lost 34 of their last 35 games. Looking at Cleveland's game-by-game log, one can see that the team lost 10 straight from November 30-December 17, 2010. Then came a win over the New York Knicks on December 18 (in overtime, of course), followed by 24 straight in the loss column.

UPDATE:  The Cleveland Cavaliers made it closer tonight against a good Mavericks team in Dallas than most observers probably would have expected, but ultimately lost, 99-96. The 2010-11 Cavs now are the sole owners of the NBA record for longest losing streak, 25 games.