Last night the LA Lakers lost to the historically bad Cleveland Cavaliers.  This is just another loss in what is becoming an ugly trend for the defending champs.

 It was just over a month ago when the Lakers beat the Cavaliers by 55 points in the Staple Center.  With how the Lakers are playing lately, it might as well have been last season.  The 104-99 loss to the Cavs extends a 3 game losing streak that has also included losses to the Magic and Bobcats.

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 Ramon Sessions came off the bench for the Cavaliers and scored a season-high 32 points, backed up by the double-doubles of both Antawn Jamison and J.J. Hickson.  The loss is the last thing that the team needs before dispersing for All-Star weekend.  In reference to the upcoming break, head coach Phil Jackson said:

 ''I think they took the break before the game started,''

 Pau Gasol, who turned in LA’s only inspired effort, with 30 points and 20 boards, struggled to come up with specific ways in which the club can improve, simply saying:

 ''It's a painful, painful loss…It's very disappointing. I don't understand it.''

The Lakers return to break against the Hawks, Trail Blazers, Clippers and Thunder, all of which have the ability to be challenging teams.  It is going to have to be a quick turnaround from the Lakers, who have fallen 9 games back of the Western Conference lead, sitting in third place behind the Spurs and Mavericks.

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