Final: Nuggets 117, Cavs 103

The Cavaliers cut a 22-point deficit to six in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell to the Denver Nuggets on Friday 117-103 to lose their 19th consecutive game to tie the franchise record for consecutive losses in a single season.

J.J. Hickson had 24 points and 14 rebounds. His basket with 6:13 remaining cut the deficit to 101-95, but Chauncey Billups countered with a huge 3-pointer with three minutes remaining and the Nuggets held on to win their fourth in five games.

The Cavs tie the mark set during the 1981-82 season, when they lost their final 19 games. They can set the single-season record with a loss at Orlando on Saturday. After that are records for longest losing streak in NBA history in a single season (23 games) and the longest streak in league history overall – which the Cavs already hold at 24 games.

Jamison had 20 points and 12 rebounds, Joey Graham had 14 points against his old team and Ramon Sessions had 14 points and 13 assists.

Anthony had 33 points, including 15 from the free-throw line to match the Cavs’ total effort as a team. Arron Afflalo added 23 points and Ty Lawson had 15 off the bench for the Nuggets.

The Cavs have lost 29 of their last 30 to drop to 8-38 on the season.