NBA Roundup: You Win This Round, LeBron

Notes on Thursday's games in the National Basketball Association ...

• Lakers Need A Long Nap. And so the Lakers head into the All-Star break not with a flourish but with a limp, losing their fifth straight, 114-108 to Cleveland. The losing streak ties for the longest in coach Phil Jackson's career, as he begins to look more and more like Bill Parcells every day. Too harsh? Sorry. Let's just say then that the rivalry between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James is heating up. LeBron had 38 points to lead the Cavs, and Kobe had 34. Cleveland had been winless at the Staples Center in its past seven games. The Lakers (30-24) have lost 11 of their past 15 games.

• Terry Time. We interrupt this Dallas Mavericks' winning streak for exclusive coverage of All-Star Game Weekend. The winning streak will resume next week. Jason Terry hit the go-ahead jumper with 1:09 remaining and then made two free throws to secure Dallas' 80-77 win over Houston on Thursday. If you're planning on wagering on Terry in the All-Star 3-point shootout, please note that he was 2-for-10 from the field. Dallas has won nine straight.