Like pledges to a fraternity taking initiation swats -- thank you, sir; may I have another? -- they were blown out by the Cavaliers early, came back and then lost again, eventually falling 107-102 for their 11th consecutive defeat.

For all the losses in all of their excruciating variety, Tuesday's might have hurt the most. There were no new injuries in Crutch City. But there was pain.

"Sometimes I feel like crying," said Rockets guard Cuttino Mobley, whose season-high 33 points were not enough. "But it could be worse. It's getting there. I keep saying it could be worse after every single loss. Things happen in life. You have to deal with them. I don't know. Maybe something good will come out of it."