Sacramento

- If winning cures all ills, the Cavaliers could finally get a needed dose of success tonight against Golden State.

Eight games ago, the Warriors fell at Gund Arena. But since then, the Cavs have struggled and now own a seven-game losing streak following last night's 109-102 loss to the Kings.

They need an antidote fast after a night in which they played well, but not for nearly long enough, against one of the West's best.

"We seem to play harder against good teams because we don't want to get embarrassed," Wes Person said. "We seem to relax about against mediocre teams because they don't have the ability to embarrass us.

"[Tonight] will be a good test for us. We'll have a chance to get our first win."

Peja Stojakovic scored 36 points and Chris Webber had 34 points and 14 rebounds as Sacramento (28-9) turned aside a determined mid-game surge by Cleveland.

Lamond Murray led the Cavs (13-25) with 22 points. Jumaine Jones had 16 points and Andre Miller had 17 points and 13 assists. Jumaine Jones scored 16 and surprise starter Brian Skinner finished with a season-high 10 points. His 12 rebounds tied a season high.

"Skinner was very good early in the game," head coach John Lucas said. "Skinner started because Lamond was late and I fined him. Lamond came in and gave us some good offense. I liked Skinner starting and bringing Lamond off the bench. I may do it again [tonight]."

After a third quarter largely controlled by the Cavs, Webber's basket early in the fourth quarter got the Kings on their way.

Everything the Cavs did during the third quarter -- key defensive stops and big shots that built a 13-point edge at one point -- was lost in the fourth. The Cavs trailed, 80-77, when Zydrunas Ilgauskas completed a three-point play. But Webber came back with a score and things fell apart quickly for Cleveland.

Webber got loose on a break. Miller planted himself in the lane and was toppled as the ball went through the basket. Miller was charged with the block, which prompted a technical on Lucas, his second of the road trip. Following the foul shot, the Kings led, 85-77, with 8:18 left.

More trouble arrived when Chris Mihm fouled out a minute later. The Kings didn't stop. Stojakovic's trey with 3:59 left gave the Kings a 100-89 lead and Sacramento - which has lost only once at home this season - kept the Cavs at arm's length the rest of the way.

By replacing Murray in the starting lineup, Lucas gave Skinner the responsibility of guarding Webber. The strategy was to wear Webber down. In the first quarter, at least, it didn't work.

It was all Webber during the first 12 minutes. He finished the period with 12 points. Webber's putback followed by Stojakovic's jumper gave the Kings a 24-17 lead. Scot Pollard closed out the quarter with a layup and three free throws for a 30-23 edge.

Webber's short jumper early in the second quarter extended the Kings' lead to 33-23. But then the Cavs went to Ilgauskas three straight times. Each time Z delivered. The Kings maintained a 10-point lead, 41-31, midway through the period, but the Cavs were coming.

Miller's layup started a 11-2 run, capped by Murray's bucket for a 44-43 lead. More importantly, Skinner came up big during the period. He ignited the Cavs with his defense and key points. Skinner had eight points and eight rebounds at the half.

The Cavs' lead was brief, as Mike Bibby's score gave the home team the lead again. But the Cavs snatched the momentum right back. Jumaine Jones started the run with consecutive jumpers. Miller put one in and Skinner's dunk closed the 8-2 run for a 52-47 halftime advantage.

The Kings sliced into the Cavs' lead and trailed, 52-49, early in the third quarter. The Kings were ready to roll, but Person had other ideas.

The veteran guard put on his own shooting clinic, scoring 10 straight points as Cleveland built a surprising 13-point lead. But just as quickly, the Kings made their move. Bibby provided a jump start by picking up the game's pace. His layup with 4:51 left in the period cut the Cavs' lead to 69-62.