The Cavaliers reeling and even one of the worst teams in the league feasted on its weaknesses on Tuesday.
Despite owning a 21-point lead against the lowly Magic, the Cavaliers scored just nine points in the fourth quarter en route to a 116-98 loss, the team's 13th loss in the last 19 games.
Cavs coach Tyronn Lue wasn't on the sidelines for the entire second half due to an illness but he probably would have been sick either way. LeBron James failed to record a rebound or an assist in the second half and the Magic's Jonathon Simmons scored 22 of his career-high 34 points in the third quarter, erasing the Cavs lead.
It's a scene all too familiar for the Cavs this year.
"When adversity hits, we go our separate ways," Thomas told reporters after Tuesday's loss.
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Thomas added: "I don't know the last time we got on the floor for a loose ball. I know that teams I've been on, defense is determined on deflections, steals, loose balls, who's the hardest working team."
Despite currently holding the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs are just 3 1/2 games ahead of the 76ers, who currently own the final playoff spot.
STUDS OF THE NIGHT
The Raptors enjoyed a collective team effort in a 20-point win over the Celtics. Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan combined for 38 points but the difference-maker was CJ Miles, who was 6 of 8 from the field with five 3-pointers and 20 points in just 15 minutes of playing time. Toronto improved to 22-4 at home with the win.
DUDS OF THE NIGHT
The Grizzlies has won just five road games this season and were routed by one of the worst teams in the league on Tuesday in a 108-82 loss to the Hawks. Only two of the Grizzlies' 11 players recorded a positive plus-minus rating as the team had just 54 points entering the fourth quarter. Memphis finished with 25 turnovers and made just four 3-pointers.
HIGHLIGHT
They might have to change the NBA logo after this dunk by Giannis Antetokounmpo over the 6-6 Tim Hardaway Jr.
WHAT'S NEXT
Nets (19-36) at Pistons (26-26), — Detroit has won four games in a row and trail the Sixers by a half-game for the final playoff spot in the East. Blake Griffin and Andre Drummond should be able to feast on the Nets’ frontcourt and make it five straight wins.
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