Boston Celtics slump

After setting a franchise record with 19 consecutive victories in the NBA, the Boston Celtics have entered a slump with five losses out of seven games played. The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Celtics on Christmas day and ended their record streak.

Since then Kevin Garnett and company have lost five times, twice to teams considered some of the weakest in the 2008-2009 season. After their recent 114-106loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Tuesday, the Celtics prepare to meet one of the better teams in the NBA, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James, left, beats Charlotte Bobcats' Gerald Wallace (3) to a loose ball during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Meanwhile the Cavaliers increased their winning streak playing at home to 18-0 after beating the Charlotte Bobcats 111-81. The upcoming and highly anticipated Celtics Cavalier clash will also take place in Cleveland, but the home team is not taking the defending NBA champions lightly.

"It's not the end of the world they've lost a few. They'll get it together," said LeBron James. "I bet they won't come in here on Friday sluggish."

The Bobcats played in Cleveland Wednesday, just a day after their win over the Boston Celtics. Anderson Varejao scored 14 points for the Cavaliers as Cleveland shot 60 percent from the floor and improved their overall winnings this season to 28-6.