The Cleveland Cavaliers missed a potential tying 3-pointer at the buzzer and set the record for longest losing streak in NBA history with a 99-96 road loss to the Dallas Mavericks, their 25th consecutive defeat.

The Cavaliers broke their own mark of 24 straight losses, set over the final 19 games of the 1981-82 season and the first five games of the following campaign. On Saturday, their 24th consecutive setback set the single-season mark.

Cleveland trailed, 97-87, with less than three minutes to play but staged a frantic rally, closing to 97-94 on a 3-pointer by Antawn Jamison with 1:40 to play. Jamison missed a potential tying 3-pointer on the next possession, and Jason Terry's jumper gave Dallas some breathing room with 35 seconds left.

J.J. Hickson scored quickly to make it a three-point game, and the Cavs had another chance to tie after a turnover by Dirk Nowitzki. But Anthony Parker’s long 3-pointer was short, and the buzzer sounded as Jamison stood holding the ball, trying to decide what to do next.

Jason Terry scored 23 points and fellow reserve Shawn Marion added 17 for the Mavericks, who had to fight for their ninth straight win much longer than expected. Nowitzki was limited to 12 points.

Hickson had 26 points and 12 rebounds and Jamison had 18 and 11 for the Cavs, who fought back from a 15-point first-half deficit to pull into a tie early in the final period.

Ramon Sessions added 19 points and 13 assists for Cleveland, which has dropped 35 of its last 36 games overall and 26 in a row on the road.