For the first time in his career, LeBron James has lost consecutive games by 25-plus points.
The Cleveland Cavaliers was thumped by the Minnesota Timberwolves by 28 on Monday and got crushed by the Toronto Raptors on Thursday despite Toronto playing without two of its better players in Kyle Lowry (tailbone) or Serge Ibaka (suspension).
James recorded a career-worst minus-39 rating Monday and was minus-22 Thursday with just one assist as Cleveland's defense was non-existent in the first half of the 133-99 defeat to cap the season's midpoint.
The Raptors, which had seven players in double-figures, jumped out to a 65-40 halftime lead and never looked back. Even the Raptors' reserves were taking it to the Cavs as Fred VanVleet scored a team-high 22 points in 24 minutes.
Read: Isaiah Thomas fined $20K for flagrant foul on Andrew Wiggins
It's easy to understand why James was livid as the Cavs lost for the seventh time in its last 10 games. He was caught by TNT's cameras lashing out at teammates and assistant coach Phil Handy after Pascal Siakam drove the lane and dunked with little resistance.
"We've all got to be accountable for actions, accountable for how we play, how hard we play, what we're doing for one another," James told reporters after the game. "So, just trying to hold everybody accountable and move on, which we did."
James is going to be angrier when he finds out Kyrie Irving likes seeing him upset.
Irving's replacement, Isaiah Thomas didn't help James' fury as the recovering point guard (hip) knocked down just 2 of 15 shots. He finished with four points and registered a minus-20.
STUD OF THE NIGHT
Los Angeles Clippers guard Lou Williams picked up where he left off Thursday with 30 points in a 121-115 win over the Kings. Williams dropped 50 on the Golden State Warriors Wednesday.
DUDS OF THE NIGHT
The 76ers: Philadelphia 76ers led the Celtics by as many as 22 points in the second quarter, but still managed to choke in the second half to lose in London by double-digits. Sixers forward Robert Covington had the worst night of all, knocking down just two field goals while registering a minus-25 with four turnovers.
HIGHLIGHT
Jordan Clarkson's spinning, no-look pass was the highlight of an otherwise lackluster first 16 minutes for the Lakers against the Spurs. The Lakers did come back for a 93-81 win.
WHAT'S NEXT
Warriors (33-9) at Bucks: Stephen Curry (ankle) is listed as questionable as Golden State embarks on a five-game road trip beginning Friday. Klay Thompson is expected to play after missing Wednesday’s home loss to the Clippers for rest purposes. The Bucks is yet to win back-to-back games in 2018 and is six-point underdog to the Warriors.
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