=== Cleveland Cavaliers Team Report - December 18 === (My Sportsbook) - The Cleveland Cavaliers fell for the 12th time in 14 tries on Wednesday when they were defeated 89-85 by the Houston Rockets. Zydrunas Ilgauskas posted 19 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who have dropped their last three contests. LeBron James contributed 17 points and newly acquired Tony Battie had 14 in the losing effort. Battie was acquired Monday in a deal with Boston that sent Ricky Davis, Chris Mihm, Michael Stewart and a second-round draft pick to the Celtics. In exchange the Cavaliers obtained Battie, Eric Williams and Kedrick Brown. The Cavaliers trailed by one after three quarters, but began the fourth period by scoring 10 of the first 12 points to claim a 76-69 edge midway through the stanza. Cleveland led 78-71 moments later, but the Rockets then scored 12 straight points, capped by Steve Francis' basket, to seize a five-point lead with 2:58 left in the game. The Cavs eventually got to within two with 10 seconds to play, but Francis nailed a pair of free throws to put the game away. Cleveland, which is tied for the second longest road losing streak in NBA history at 34 games, will be in Philadelphia on Friday. |
