Like a 7-foot center losing a jump ball to a 6-foot-2-inch guard. And a decent outside shooter deciding to pass as time expired instead of putting up a potential tying 3-pointer.

The miscues doomed the Cavs to a 99-96 loss to the Mavericks last night in Dallas, making it 25 straight losses, the most in league history no matter how it’s counted.

Cleveland set the single-season futility record a few days ago, but the league also keeps an overall losing streak record that takes into account skids stretched over two seasons. This topped that one, too, making the first year of the post-LeBron James era even more forgettable for the Cavaliers. The previous mark also was set by the Cavs, spanning the end of the 1981-82 season and the start of 1982-83.

“We’re in the record books, we all know that, something we don’t want to be a part of, but you can’t go back and turn back the hands of time,’’ forward Antawn Jamison said.

They had a chance to get this one, even against a team that came in with the NBA’s longest active winning streak at eight games.

The Mavs led by 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Cavs fought back.

A turnover by Dirk Nowitzki with about 10 seconds left gave Cleveland the ball with a chance to tie. Anthony Parker had a good look at the basket from a few steps behind the top of the key and put up a shot that danced around the rim but refused to fall.

Jamison got the rebound with about two seconds left and passed to Jamario Moon for another 3-pointer. But Moon wanted Jamison to take it, so he passed the ball back.

Then the final buzzer sounded, and Jamison and Moon put their hands on their heads, elbows out, in shame and disbelief.

Rockets 108, Nuggets 103 — Kevin Martin scored 37 points and Houston took advantage of Nene’s absence and Chauncey Billups’s injury exit to beat host Denver despite Carmelo Anthony’s 50-point effort that tied his career high.

Trail Blazers 109, Bulls 103 — LaMarcus Aldridge had a career-high 42 points to lead host Portland.

Timberwolves 104, Hornets 92 — In New Orleans, Kevin Love had 27 points and 17 rebounds as struggling Minnesota posted its second double-digit win over New Orleans this season. The Wolves, however, lost starters Michael Beasley (leg) and Darko Milicic (hip) to injuries.

Lakers 93, Grizzlies 84 — Kobe Bryant scored 19 points to lead visiting Los Angeles to its third victory in four games.

Jazz 107, Kings 104 — Al Jefferson scored 23 points and Deron Williams had 21 points and nine assists to spark visiting Utah.

Suns 104, Warriors 92 — Steve Nash had 14 points and 15 assists on his 37th birthday, leading Phoenix to a road win.