The Cavaliers, who have set several negative records this season, nearly set a positive one last night. But head coach John Lucas is sure glad they didn't.

The last thing Lucas would have wanted was to discuss a perfect foul-shooting night. After the Cavs made 26-of-27 free throws in a 93-81 win over Charlotte at Gund Arena, Lucas discussed the near-perfection with less excitement than he has discussed some of the team's many broken bones.

``I'm not in the mood of giving my team a lot of compliments,'' he said. ``We don't handle compliments well. It's like when I give my wife a couple of compliments, she stopped cooking. My team is the same way. I don't want to give them too many compliments. They might start believing them.''

Of course, Lucas could have ripped on forward Lamond Murray for missing the team's only foul shot late in the third period after the Cavs had made 14 straight. But Lucas, knowing that Murray is temperamental, said, ``I want to keep Lamond happy.''

Had Murray made his attempt, the Cavs would have broken the team record for best free-throw shooting night ever. They made 22-of-22 at Chicago on Dec. 17, 1987.

But it was hard to complain about Murray's effort. He shot 6-of-7 from the line and had 18 points.