The key to James' offensive success is when his teammates are playing well around him.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Even when Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are on the bench, LeBron James trusts his teammates. That's what makes him so dangerous, especially when those teammates are playing at a high level.

Below are two plays from Cleveland's Game 3 win over Atlanta. One play sets up the other and both are the result of having James' teammates rise to the occasion.

1) James hits Dellavedova for open jumper

It's a tie game midway through the third quarter and James has the ball. He gets a pick from Matthew Dellavedova and now the defenders must make a choice -- stay on their defensive assignments or both stay with James.

The Hawks make the decision to double team James. The decision stops James from getting an open look at the basket but leaves Dellavedova open to James' right side.

James is able to find Dellavedova, who looks at a wide open 3-pointer. The result is an easy three points, and a play that sticks in Atlanta's memory.

2) James uses pick for open lane to the basket

Now we jump ahead to the fourth quarter and a similar situation is developing. In nearly the same spot, James gets a pick from Dellavedova, and Atlanta is forced to make a decision on how to defend it.

This time around, the Hawks stay the course on defense and keep a defender on Dellavedova. It's Paul Millsap who stays with James and comes under the screen and seems to get in position to defend James.

However, by not doubling James, there is no one to slow him down coming off the screen. He blows past Millsap for the easy dunk in a play that was set up by the Dellavedova jumper a quarter earlier.

Contact sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below. 

The cost of Cavaliers' tickets for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals will cost between $73.49 and $10,000 on Flash Seats.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers are one win away from making it to the NBA Finals for the second time in franchise history, their first coming in 2007.

They can do that on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., when Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals tips off against the Atlanta Hawks at Quicken Loans Arena.

Fans who want to make it into the game to see the Cavs try and finish the sweep will need to rely on the secondary ticket markets such as StubHub and the Cavaliers' secondary ticket market, Flash Seats, to get into the game.

With the Cavaliers on the verge of the NBA Finals, how much will it cost to get into Game 4? How much has the price changed since before Sunday's Game 3?

Here's a comparison of the price ranges of resale tickets as of 11 a.m., on Tuesday for Game 4 for seats in the upper deck, the lower deck and the club section. Also, we have listed the cost for the most expensive courtside seats.

Listed also is a comparison to the prices from Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and analysis on how much the market has changed.

Note that the prices will fluctuate throughout the postseason up until gameday. On Flash Seats, tickets can be bought for less than what they are being sold for depending on the seller.

GAME 4

Flash Seats prices

Upper deck: $73.49-$8,501.

Club section: $191-$1,000.

Lower deck: $144-$3,000 (courtside maximum is $10,000).

Stubhub prices

Upper deck: $105.92-$159.05.

Club section: None available.

Lower deck: $259.85-$941.93 (courtside maximum is $9,830.25).

Note: Only 129 total tickets are available on StubHub.

Cavs tickets for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Flash Seats will cost between $73.49 and $10,000.Tim Bielik, Northeast Ohio Media Group 

Compared to prices at 11 a.m. on Sunday for Game 4

Flash Seats prices

Upper deck: $101-$1,000.

Club section: $240-$1,050.

Lower deck: $175-$5,000 (courtside maximum is $8,500).

Stubhub prices

Upper deck: $130.95-$364.95.

Club section: $535.77-$938.25.

Lower deck: $236.25-$4.623.75 (courtside maximum is $9,830.25).

Compared to prices at 1:30 p.m. on Friday for Game 4

Flash Seats prices

Upper deck: $94-$6,000.

Club section: $250-$1,050.

Lower deck: $184-$5,000 (courtside maximum at $8,500).

Stubhub prices

Upper deck: $155.52-$360.27.

Club section: $528.75-$1,089.18.

Lower deck: $251.46-$2,283.75 (courtside maximum is $9,830.25).

Compared to prices at 3 p.m., on Wednesday:

Flash Seats prices

Upper deck: $89-$1,000.

Club section: $250-$999.99.

Lower deck: $185-$1,500.

Stubhub prices

Upper deck: $148.50-$360.27.

Club section: $528.75-$1,089.18.

Lower deck: $251.46-$2.342.25 (courtside maximum is $4,097.25).

Key differences: Despite the fact that the Cavaliers are one win from the Eastern Conference championship, the price to get into the game has decreased in each of the three areas of Quicken Loans Arena as compared to Sunday on Flash Seats. The minimum and maximum costs of seats in the lower deck have both gone down since Sunday, although the most expensive seat will now cost $10,000 per seat. Buyers may have a better chance to find seats on Flash Seats for the game because it has more of a quantity than StubHub does.

The Hawks prepare for Game 4 on Tuesday facing elimination from the playoffs. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Win or go home.

That's simply the scenario for the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday down 3-0 against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven game series of the Eastern Conference Finals.

"There's no question about it," Hawks' Al Horford said. "We have our backs against the ropes. The season is on the line."

The Hawks, who return to the Q for Game 4 on Tuesday, face elimination from the playoffs after falling 114-111 in overtime to the Cavs on Sunday.

The winner of the series will advance to the NBA finals beginning on June 4 to play either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets. The Warriors led the series 3-1 following a 128-115 Rockets victory on Monday.

"I'm sure Houston is feeling good to extend the series and give themselves a chance to go win another game," Hawks' coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Any team down or in that situation just like us, we're willing to do the same."

Following Horford's ejection on Sunday after a falgarent foul against Cleveland's Matthew Dellavedova, the forward shared at Tuesday's shootaround that he's suiting up for a must-win game in Cleveland.

"I found out yesterday afternoon," Horford said. "I was happy about it just because it's an important game for us. I wanted to play."

Horford finished the game with 14 points and four rebounds after the Hawks took an early lead in Cleveland on Sunday.

Jeff Teague led the Hawks scoring with 30 points and finishing the night with seven assists and six rebounds.

Should the series be extended, the Hawks will return home Thursday for Game 5. If necessary, Game 6 will at the Q on Saturday and Game 7 in Atlanta on Monday.

With the team already down one shooter in Kyle Korver due to an ankle injury, they will look to an injured DeMarre Carroll once again to defend Cavs forward LeBron James. Carroll, sustained a knee injury in Game 1, said he and his teammates feel good getting ready for Game 4.

"Everybody feels good," Carroll said. "The mood is good. The spirit is good. We just have to take it one game at a time and just keep fighting."

See the top local girls track and field performances as of May 26, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here is a look at the top area girls track and field performances this season through Tuesday, May 26, 2015, according to information found on OhioMilesplit.com.

100 meters

Top local times: Amanda Wightman, Coventry, 12.17; Diamond Cummings, Cleveland JFK, 12.20; Raquel Jones, Twinsburg, 12.21.

Statewide: Michaela Butler, Findlay Liberty-Benton, 11.90.

Comment: The names in the local leaderboard did not change, although Jones dropped 0.02 seconds off of her season's fastest time.

200 meters

Top local times: Emmarie Foote, Twinsburg, 24.85; Sam Shaver, Stow, 24.90; Amanda Wightman, Coventry, 25.03.

Statewide: Abby Steiner, Dublin Coffman, 24.17.

Comment: Wightman has had a good last few weeks and came close to running sub-25 at the North Canton District meet. Foote is No. 5 in the state and Shaver is ranked No. 7.

400 meters

Top local times: Frances Bull, Lake Catholic, 55.81; Faith Banks, Nordonia, 57.04; Olivia Bechtel, Bay, 57.14.

Statewide: Karrington Winters, New Albany, 54.04.

Comment: Bechtel dropped 0.06 seconds in her best time of the season and stays No. 3 among local runners. Despite Winters' new best time, Bull is still ranked No. 3 in Ohio.

800 meters

Top local times: Rachel Banks, Chardon, 2:12.05; Alexis Szivan, Amherst, 2:12.40; Mary Figler, Walsh Jesuit, 2:13.36.

Statewide: Brittany Aveni, Geneva, 2:10.64.

Comment: Banks and Szivan kept the top spots in the leaderboard after they each improved on their best times at their respective districts. Figler's win at the Nordonia District moved her into the local leaderboard and she is No. 6 in Ohio.

1,600 meters

Top local times: Sammy Bockoven, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 4:57.25; Rachel Banks, Chardon, Chardon, 5:00.57; Alyssa Thomas, Green, 5:04.45.

Statewide: Annie Heffernan, Cincinnati St. Ursula, 4:55.28.

Comment: The local leaderboard in this event did not change after the district meets.

3,200 meters

Top local times: Annemie Reimers, Shaker Heights, 11:08.76; Clare Ubersax, Orange, 11:09.89; Peggy Magro, Mentor, 11:11.83.

Statewide: Annie Heffernan, Cincinnati St. Ursula, 10:35.17.

Comment: Nothing changed in the local leaderboard for this event.

100 hurdles

Top local times: Aysha Muhammad, Mentor, 14.38; Jasmine Harris, Orange, 14.62; Dara Perry, Firestone, 14.69.

Statewide: Ayanna O'Neal, Cincinnati Withrow, 14.04.

Comment: Perry improved on her season-best time once again, dropping 0.11 seconds from last week. Perry is now just outside of the state's top ten at No. 11.

300 hurdles

Top local times: Jasmine Harris, Orange, 44.35; Aysha Muhammad, Mentor, 44.67; Sabrina Kozsey, Nordonia, 44.92.

Statewide: Peyton Lee, Napoleon, 44.14.

Comment: Harris is no longer the state's fastest 300 hurdler after Lee's great time at the Defiance District. It's likely the two will decide the Division II championship in June. Kozsey moved into the local leaderboard after winning at the Nordonia District.

High jump

Top local distances: Cassie Martin, Strongsville, 5-8; Maria Mims, Aurora, 5-6; Kelly McCafferty, Strongsville, 5-6; Tiffany Moore, Euclid, 5-6, Chelbi Graham, Solon, 5-6; Cierra Rembert, Euclid, 5-6.

Statewide: Marisa Gwinner, Galion, 5-8.5.

Comment: This week's local leaderboard remains the same following district action.

Long jump

Top local distances: Kye Williams, St. Joseph Academy, 18-1.25; Olivia Bechtel, Bay, 17-11.5; Asya Reynolds, Brush, 17-11.25.

Statewide: Ja'La Henderson, Dayton Meadowdale, 19-0.75.

Comment: Williams became the first area jumper to clear 18 feet this season after her win in the Brunswick District. She moved up to No. 7 in Ohio with her jump.

Pole vault

Top local distances: Kristen Denk, North Royalton, 13-4.25; Danielle Stewart, Strongsville, 12-4; Macee Erickson, Green, 12-3.

Statewide: Denk (At Nordonia Knight Relays, April 11).

Comment: Erickson improved her season-best vault by three inches with her second-place finish at the North Canton District. The area has three top-ten vaulters in the state of Ohio, all of whom in Division I.

Shot put

Top local distances: Edith Svonavec, Garrettsville Garfield, 49-0; Rashida Harris, Euclid, 44-9; Daija Young, Trinity, 42-4.

Statewide: Svonavec (At Valkyrie Invitational, April 18).

Comment: The local leaderboard stayed unchanged following the district meets.

Discus

Top local distances: Jane Sensibaugh, Solon, 148-5; Daija Young, Trinity, 147-10; Lauren Jones, Garrettsville Garfield, 147-2.

Statewide: Oyesade Olatoye, Dublin Coffman, 155-4.

Comment: Sensibaugh and Young each won their respective district meets and moved past Jones into the top two spots of the local leaderboard.

4x100 meters

Top local times: Twinsburg, 47.92; Strongsville, 48.35; Brunswick, 49.10.

Statewide: Cincinnati Withrow, 46.87.

Comment: For the second week in a row, the local leaderboard stayed the same.

4x200 meters

Top local times: Firestone, 1:41.51; Twinsburg, 1:41.69; Mentor, 1:42.78.

Statewide: Gahanna Lincoln, 1:39.74.

Comment: Firestone and Twinsburg moved into the state's top five after winning their respective districts. Out of Ohio's top ten times, eight were set at a district meet.

4x400 meters

Top local times: Nordonia, 3:56.75; Walsh Jesuit, 3:58.32; Brecksville, 3:58.63.

Statewide: Geneva, 3:52.64.

Comment: Nordonia's area-best time got better by more than two seconds and is ranked No. 6 in Ohio. Walsh Jesuit is ranked in a three-way tie for No. 9 and Brecksville is just outside the top ten at No. 13.

4x800 meters

Top local times: Nordonia, 9:20.73; Chardon, 9:24.49; Walsh Jesuit, 9:25.79.

Statewide: Centerville, 9:13.24.

Comment: Nordonia again improved on its season-best time, dropping 9.19 seconds from its time at the conference meet to take the area's best so far. Three of the state's top 11 times are from Northeast Ohio.

See the top local boys track and field performances as of May 26, 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Here is a look at the top area boys track and field performances this season through Tuesday, May 26, 2015, according to information found on OhioMilesplit.com.

100 meters

Top local times: Andy Isabella, Mayfield, 10.65; Brandon Harris, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 10.69; Denzel Ward, Nordonia, 10.70.

Statewide: Tyler Johnson, Dayton Stivers, 10.52.

Comment: Harris became just the second area runner to break 10.70 in the 100 this season. Ward's new best time came in his home district meet, where he started strong and won by 0.22 seconds.

200 meters

Top local times: Cameron Odom, Bedford, 21.75; Denzel Ward, Nordonia, 21.81; Matt Blamble, Wadsworth, 21.82.

Statewide: Nick Gray, Pickerington North, 20.90.

Comment: Odom beat Blamble in the 200 at the Nordonia District meet to take two of the top three spots in this event. Area athletes hold spots 4-6 in the state leaderboard in this event.

400 meters

Top local times: Brian Tillman, Euclid, 49.00; Marc Walton, Mentor, 49.15; DeAmonte King, St. Vincent-St. Mary, 49.27.

Statewide: Nick Gray, Pickerington North, 47.74.

Comment: Tillman's great time moved him into a tie for ninth fastest in Ohio this season. King broke 50 seconds for the first time this season after his strong run at the Bedford District.

800 meters

Top local times: Ryan Adams, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 1:52.13; Gavin Gaynor, Hudson, 1:54.61; Jordan Pritchard, Lake Catholic, 1:54.91.

Statewide: Brian Bell, Dayton Dunbar, 1:51.04.

Comment: Pritchard moved into the third spot after his win at the Perry District meet. Adams is still No. 2 in Ohio, but Gaynor dropped two spots into a tie for No. 6.

1,600 meters

Top local times: Ryan Adams, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, 4:08.61; Kyle Mau, Hudson, 4:10.80; Joe Bistritz, Chagrin Falls, 4:13.24.

Statewide: Adams (at Division II Bedford District, May 23).

Comment: Adams came just 0.58 seconds from tying the Division II record, but still became the first Ohioan to break 4:10 in this event. Mau fell to No. 2 in Ohio, and Bistritz's great time at the Perry District moved him into No. 4 in the state.

3,200 meters

Top local times: Gavin Gaynor, Hudson, 9:07.01; Kyle Mau, Hudson, 9:14.83; Joe Rossetti, St. Vincent-St. Mary, 9:20.87.

Statewide: Colin Burdette, Hilliard Davidson, 9:01.76.

Comment: The local leaderboard did not change after the past week's district meets.

110 hurdles

Top local times: Richard Floyd, Strongsville, 14.24; Jared Davis, Copley, 14.38; Caleb Samol, Berea-Midpark, 14.44.

Statewide: Chad Zallow, Warren JFK, 13.50.

Comment: Samol moved back into the local leaderboard after his strong run at the Amherst District. All three local runners are in the top 13 in Ohio.

300 hurdles

Top local times: Caleb Samol, Berea-Midpark, 38.01; Richard Floyd, Strongsville, 38.24; Matt Ludwig, Lake Catholic, 38.68.

Statewide: Chad Zallow, Warren JFK, 37.06.

Comment: Floyd's 38.24 was not posted on the leaderboard for Milesplit, but it is accessible on his profile. As his time stands, he is ranked No. 8 in the state in this event. Ludwig ran a sub-39 for the first time after a sub-40 in each of his meets in May.

High jump

Top local distances: T.J. Lawson, Stow, 6-9.25; Ryder Bell, University School, 6-7; Ben Jones, Normandy, 6-6; Jacob Mally, Woodridge, 6-6.

Statewide: Curtis Richardson, Licking Heights, 6-11.

Comment: Nothing changed on the local leaderboard in this event after the district meets.

Long jump

Top local distances: T.J. Lawson, Stow, 22-11; Darius Farmer, Warrensville Heights, 22-10.5; Ryder Bell, University School, 22-9.5.

Statewide: Davion Fisher, Sandusky, 24-10.

Comment: Bell moved his way into the local leaderboard and the state's top ten after he won in the Perry District.

Pole vault

Top local distances: Matt Ludwig, Lake Catholic, 16-4; Matt Owens, Berea-Midpark, 15-7; Nicholas Lauria, Perry, 15-6.

Statewide: Ludwig (At Dick Beeler Invitational, May 1).

Comment: The leaderboard stays unchanged in this event after the district meets.

Shot put

Top local distances: Ben Peterson, Solon, 63-5; John Zedella, St. Edward, 58-9.5; Reggie Browley, Mentor, 58-1.

Statewide: Peterson (At Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division meet, May 13).

Comment: Zedella and Browley each won their respective districts and set season bests in the process. Zedella moved up to No. 6 overall after his season-best throw.

Discus

Top local distances: Jake Wickey, Medina, 174-7; Peter Sullivan, Bay, 172-6; John Zedella, St. Edward, 170-5.

Statewide: Christian Smith, McDonald, 203-9.

Comment: The top three among local throwers did not change after the district meet. Wickey remains the only local representative in the top ten at No. 9.

4x100 meters

Top local times: St. Ignatius, 42.74; Padua, 42.77; Walsh Jesuit, 42.79.

Statewide: Mason, 41.82.

Comment: For the second week in a row, the top three among local teams did not change.

4x200 meters

Top local times: Copley, 1:28.24; Streetsboro, 1:28.26; Glenville, 1:28.40.

Statewide: Cincinnati Withrow, 1:26.02.

Comment: Nothing changed in the local leaderboard for this event after district meets.

4x400 meters

Top local times: Glenville, 3:22.89; Strongsville, 3:23.95; Rocky River, 3:24.02.

Statewide: Mason 3:16.28.

Comment: With strong runs in the Amherst District, Strongsville, which beat Rocky River in this event at the meet, move into the local leaderboard. No local teams are in the state's top ten, with Glenville the highest-ranked area school at No. 15.

4x800 meters

Top local times: St. Vincent-St. Mary, 7:55.52; Hudson, 7:56.07; Lake Catholic, 7:58.14.

Statewide: Dublin Coffman, 7:53.48.

Comment: Area schools now occupy the final three spots in the state's top five. St. Vincent-St. Mary and Lake Catholic are the top two Division II schools in Ohio in this event.

Errant throws by Marc Rzpeczynski and Zach McAllister sink the Indians in the seventh inning Monday against Texas at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The message was repeated time after time in spring training by manager Terry Francona and his coaches. Any mishit ball that travels fewer than 80 feet should be an out.

It was repeated nearly as much as pitchers practiced pickoff throws to first base under the Arizona sun in February and March.

The Indians had a special drill to cover almost all the eventualities that could come from a softly hit ground ball. It was called Rapid PFP (pitchers fielding practice) and the infielders were involved as well.

"One of the biggest things is that when the opposing team hits a ball 80 feet or less you want to get an out," is the way Francona explained it in February. "How often do you see the in-between play where it doesn't get executed? So we really want to do that a lot and at game speed."

OK, so flip the calendar to Monday, May 25. The Indians were leading Texas, 8-7, with one out in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Delino DeShields was on first base and lefty Marc Rzepczynski came in from the bullpen to face lefty Shin-Soo Choo.

Rzepczynski made several throws to first base to try and keep the swift DeShields close to the bag. He threw the last one over first baseman Carlos Santana's head as DeShields went to second on the error. From there he came around to score on Choo's ground ball and a single by red-hot Prince Fielder to tie the score, 8-8.

Francona could have intentionally walked Fielder with first base open, but that was pick your poison moment with Adrian Beltre on deck. Fielder and Beltre hit consecutive homers in the first. In the third, Francona intentionally walked Beltre following a two-out double by Fielder and it turned into four-run rally.

Right-hander Zach McAllister relieved and allowed a single to DeShields as Fielder went to second. Josh Hamilton, playing his first game of the season, sent a slow chopper back to the mound. It was a lot shorter than 80 feet.

McAllister gathered it and threw it high and wide over Santana's head at first base as Fielder scored for a 9-8 lead. Elvis Andrus added a leadoff homer in the eighth for a 10-8 victory that ended the Indians six-game winning streak.

"After all it was said and done, it came down to a ball that was hit probably 20 feet," said Francona. "And we talk about that a lot. You execute a really good pitch on a dangerous hitter (Hamilton), you have to get an out."

McAllister made no excuses.

"I made a bad throw," said McAllister, who stands 6-6. "Plain and simple, I made a bad throw."

Said Francona, "Zach is kind of a long-levered guy. Making that short throw, he really has to move his feet, probably more than the average guy because he's got long arms and legs."

"It's something where you feel a little rushed where a guy might be moving down the line faster than you expected," said McAllister. "It's a play that should be made. It's a play that has to be made. I just didn't make it."

In the two-part equation of every pitch a pitcher makes, the first part went fine.

"You made a pitch you wanted to make," said McAllister. "You got the out that should have been an out. It's frustrating.

"It's a big moment. It's a tie game and who knows what happens after that? It's tough to swallow, especially late in the game like that."

The error was McAllister's first of the year. It was Rzepczynski's second.

"Zep was a little quick on the slide step over (to first base), trying to mix up his looks, and just let it fly," said Francona.

It's no surprise that the Atlanta Hawks have targeted Matthew Dellavedova for criticism -- it's playoff gamemanship.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook as the Cavaliers prepare to face Atlanta tonight in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals:

1. Suppose you played for the Atlanta Hawks. You'd probably be doing and saying exactly what they are doing and saying when it comes to Matthew Dellavedova. Since he's suddenly become an NBA household name, I'm calling him "Delly" in the rest of the Scribbles.

2. If you're the Hawks, down deep you know that Delly is out-hustling most of the players on the court. If the ball is loose, he's the first on the floor. If a shot goes up, he blocks out and tries to rebound against anyone -- any size. He loves to defend. He is a MAJOR PAIN to play against. So what do you do? You call him what amounts to a dirty player. You do it because you want the officials to call more fouls on him. You want him to back off a bit in how he plays.

3. There have been three plays in question during the postseason involving Delly. On only one -- when he grabbed Chicago's Taj Gibson with his legs -- was Delly out of line. When he hit the court for a loose ball at the feet of Kyle Korver -- he was not trying to trip Korver. He wanted to get to the ball before the Atlanta guard could reach it.

4. Fact is, Delly out-hustled Korver on that play, period. Korver suffered a high ankle sprained as he tumbled over Delly. He is out for the playoffs. That is a major blow to the Hawks. If I were on the Hawks, I'd be mad at Delly, too. But it was not a cheap shot.

5. In Game 3, Delly blocked out Al Horford. You probably have looked at the replay a few times. Horford grabbed Delly, etc. It's Horford who lost his cool and was ejected.

6. The opposite example was when Atlanta's Pero Antic just shoved LeBron James to the floor. That was a cheap shot. James did not retaliate. That move was worse than anything done by Delly in the playoffs.

7. But remember, you are the Hawks. You are looking for any edge. You want to negate Delly, who also has hurt you with some outside shooting. Delly is 6-of-16 on 3-pointers and scored 28 points in the last two games -- nice production filling in for the injured Kyrie Irving. So you complain about Delly. You alert the officials. You make your case public.

8. When the Hawks talk about "Delly's history," the only "history" of a play that was out-of-line was with Gibson in the Chicago series. That's it.

9. If the Hawks had Delly, they'd love him -- just as James and the Cavs do.

10. It's remarkable how Delly has become a key player for the Cavs in the postseason. Delly, Tristan Thompson and Iman Shumpert are at the heart of the team's defense -- with James as the leader. J.R. Smith and Timofey Mozgov also have had some very good games defensively. The Cavs are a very mentally and physically tough team. They are no fun to face in the postseason.

11. When teams are in front 3-0 in a best-of-seven playoff series, the result often is a sweep -- 59 percent of the time. It didn't happen Monday night, as the Houston Rockets dumped Golden State, 128-115, to keep their series alive.

12. For the record, no team has ever come back from an 0-3 deficit to win. And only three times has that 0-3 team carried the series to seven games. So the odds are the Cavs will finish off the Hawks. The best plan is to do it tonight at Quicken Loans Arena.

13. Watching Stephen Curry take a terrible tumble in Game 4 was scary on so many levels. It appeared the Golden State star landed on his head and suffered a major injury. It turned out to be a bruise and the MVP came back to play. But it's a reminder of what can happen to a team and its best player.

14. So you know the point: The Cavs need to wipe out the Hawks ASAP. James is battling a sore back and other injuries. He's played 38-39-47 minutes in the first three games of this series, and he's carrying a major load.

15. The officials for this game are Dan Crawford (lead), Marc Davis and Derrick Stafford. Crawford and Davis often work together. The Cavs have had Crawford twice: Game 2 vs. Boston (99-91 victory), Game 6 at Chicago (94-73 victory). The Hawks have had a Crawford-led crew twice and won both postseason games.

See coverage of the NBA's Eastern and Western conference finals from a variety of media outlets. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Get caught up on all the storylines from Cleveland and Atlanta as the Cavaliers go for a sweep tonight in their NBA Eastern Conference finals matchup with the Hawks.

Plus get the latest on the Western Conference finals as the Houston Rockets avoided a sweep by the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night.

Below is a collection of links, broken down by Eastern Conference finals, Western Conference finals and general NBA news.

See an interesting article about the conference finals online? We invite you to share a link to it in the comments section below.

The Cavaliers go for a sweep tonight at The Q at 8:30 p.m.

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Content from cleveland.com

Video: A report from the Hawks' shootaround this morning at The Q. 

A look at ticket prices to get inside The Q tonight.

The trouble with defending LeBron James -- an X and O look.

Final thoughts from Plain Dealer columnist Bill Livingston entering Game 4.

Podcast: Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto chats with Joe Noga of the Northeast Ohio Media Group about Cavs-Hawks.

Things finally may not be going wrong for Cleveland sports, Northeast Ohio Media Group columnist Bud Shaw says.

LeBron James says Tristan Thompson should be a Cleveland Cavalier his entire career.

Northeast Ohio Media Group reporter Joe Vardon delves into what it takes playing in the playoffs injured.

Poll: Is Matthew Dellavedova crossing the line with his play in this postseason?

Getting caught up with everything that happened in Game 3.

Content from Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Al Horford will not be further disciplined for actions on Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova.

Cleveland leading Atlanta in TV ratings as well.

Why Atlanta Hawks have a unique and new foe in Matthew Dellavedova.

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

Content from Northern California

Golden State Warriors' potential sweep denied by Rockets (San Francisco Chronicle)

Warriors lose Game 4, but don't lose Stephen Curry (San Francisco Chronicle)

Warriors' Klay Thompson finding his touch (San Francisco Chronicle)

Game 4 by the numbers (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stephen Curry hurt in first half of Game 4 (San Francisco Chronicle)

NBA sticks with June 4 for start of Finals (San Francisco Chronicle)

Warriors fans still have optimism (San Francisco Chronicle)

Up big in series, Warriors' biggest challenge is ahead (San Francisco Chronicle)

Warriors coach says players are 'coming in with some fight.' (San Francisco Chronicle)

Stephen Curry's fall shows how fortunes can change (Bay Area News Group)

Warriors' Stephen Curry able to return after nasty fall (Bay Area News Group)

Warriors' dream season almost crashed to a halt, says San Jose Mercury News columnist Tim Kawakami (Bay Area News Group)

Rockets' Dwight Howard given a flagrant foul (Bay Area News Group)

Warriors lose Game 4, but Stephen Curry is OK (Bay Area News Group)

Video: Warriors' Stephen Curry takes hard fall (Bay Area News Group)

Content from Houston Chronicle

Fall causes scare for Stephen Curry and Warriors.

'Competitive practice' is to thank for Rockets' hot start in Game 4.

James Harden makes up for bad performance in Game 3.

Rockets avoid sweep behind James Harden's 45 points.

Rockets' Pat Beverley upset about being inactive and pending free agency.

Warriors' Steph Curry OK after nasty fall.

Josh Smith's stay in Houston could be short, but sweet.

Compiled by Northeast Ohio Media Group and Tyler Meitin and Kevin Shugrue, Special to Northeast Ohio Media Group. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to advance to the NBA Finals with a win against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. and the game will be shown on TNT.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers have a chance to advance to the NBA Finals with a win against the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday night. Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m. and the game will be shown on TNT. On radio, it will be simulcast on WTAM-AM 1100 and 87.7 FM (ESP).

LeBron James, who has been receiving around-the-clock treatment for a variety of ailments since Game 3, recorded a triple-double on Sunday night. He scored 37 points to go with 18 rebounds and 13 assists. He also chipped in with the final five points during Cleveland's 114-111 overtime win. For the series, James is averaging 32.7 points, 10.0 assists and 11.7 rebounds. 

Kyrie Irving has missed the last two games with left knee tendinitis, but did participate in the team's Tuesday morning shootaround. He is listed as a game-time decision.

Meanwhile, the Hawks will have Al Horford as they look to avoid the sweep. Horford was ejected in the second quarter of Game 3 after receiving a flagrant 2 foul in an on-court altercation with Matthew Dellavedova, but didn't receive any further punishment. Horford had scored 14 points on 7-of-10 from the field before he was kicked out.

Northeast Ohio Media Group's Joe Vardon has the latest on players fighting through pain during the postseason. Later, catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage.

Follow along with OTAs today as the Browns practice in Berea.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are back in Berea for OTAs this week. The team will practice ten times as part of OTAs.

Tuesday's practice is open to the media with availability immediately following. The team will practice from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. After practice, head coach Mike Pettine will address the media. Following that, players will be available.

Follow along with practice and availability in our Twitter box below. Follow Mary Kay Cabot, Tom Reed and me on Twitter, as well.

Tweets from https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/lists/browns-otas

Visit the scene of what it was like at The Q when the Cavaliers swept the Hawks to advance to The Finals. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - As orange and yellow confetti poured down onto the court, there were also tears pouring down from fans in the stands.

Those were tears of joy from a woman who appeared to be in her 60s. She was sitting about 10 rows up behind the Cavaliers' bench with her hands on top of her head screaming, "I can't believe this."

Believe it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are the 2014-15 Eastern Conference champions after dismantling the Atlanta Hawks by a score of 118-88 on Tuesday night at The Q to sweep the series.

LeBron James played like a man possessed during those four games, willing his team of youngsters to uncharted territory. The four-time MVP averaged 30.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 9.3 assists in the series.

It wasn't really close at all.

The NBA darlings of the regular season learned that they were completely out of place. They didn't belong on the same floor with the Cavaliers. Many picked Atlanta as the favorites coming in, but the Hawks proved to be a fraud in the presence of the wine and gold.

It was an emotional, celebratory scene after the game. There was also a realization that this team is really good, but coach David Blatt reminded the fans that, "We're not done," during the trophy presentation.

From rookie Joe Harris all the way up to Owner Dan Gilbert, hugs and handshakes were exchanged at a rapid pace. Enjoying the moment as much as anybody was Kevin Love. He was seen high-fiving arena personnel on his way to the locker room.

At the conclusion of the trophy presentation, some players remained on the court, soaking it all in. When they all finally departed, LeBron James gathered everybody around in the middle of the locker room and delivered a powerful message, I'm told.

"He said, 'Just don't take it for granted. A lot of hard work was put into this, but at the same time; give it a couple of days. Go and reset your minds. We've got a lot of work to do. Our goal wasn't to win the Eastern Conference Finals. It was part of our goal. We can't be satisfied,' " Mike Miller recalled James saying.

From there, it was time to break out the champagne.

What more can I say!! ##JustSaying @k1irving @imanshumpertthe1st @perk_409

A video posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on May 26, 2015 at 8:48pm PDT

Minority Owner Nate Forbes passed the trophy around to security officials of the arena, allowing them to take pictures with the hardware. The typically stone-faced enforcement figures were like kids in a candy store. They couldn't believe they were being handed this award as if they helped seize it.

From ownership to management to the players to the staff to the fans - it was a collective effort, an "All In" effort.

Anderson Varejao lost his season to an Achilles injury in December, but he didn't lose his passion for wanting to deliver a championship to the city of Cleveland. He said active or not, he's enjoying this process to the fullest.

"I feel the same as I would [if I were playing]," Varejao said. "I'm just happy for our team and for the city."

The trio of James, J.R. Smith and Tristan Thompson took their talents to the postgame interview podium. As only Smith could pull off, the guard took a selfie with his teammates while they were in the middle of addressing the media. He then urged everyone to follow him on Instagram.

#JustSaying

A photo posted by JR Smith (@teamswish) on May 26, 2015 at 9:23pm PDT

After six minutes of reporters only asking James a question, James told the media that the next question needed to be for either player on his side, and that's what happened.

James' two boys sat with the media, listening to their old man very attentively. One day they might be up there.

It has been five long agonizing decades since the city last witnessed a professional championship. This isn't 2007, the last time the Cavaliers made it all the way to the final round. This team is equipped with the tools to end years of misery and despair.

Tuesday night was just a taste of the possibilities. A sample of what James envisioned when he decided to return home last summer. The ups and downs this team has endured made that night all the more special.

The restructuring of the roster orchestrated by General Manager David Griffin, the innovative schemes instituted by Blatt, and the players' willingness to buy in all created the triumphant atmosphere.

If that sobbing woman couldn't believe what was happening last night, just think of how she and others would be if the Cavaliers secure four more victories. That's what everyone in Northeast Ohio wants to know: How will they react?

We may soon find out.

The Westlake softball team is currently No. 4 in Division I coaches poll.

The winner of the Strongsville region has been decided.

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The next stop in quarterfinal action of the HORSE tournament is in Strongsville. Another coach is trying to punch their ticket to the semifinals, and it was not easy to get there.

Here's the tale of the tape:

Troy DiFranco

Head coach: Midview

Played basketball at Midview and Heidelberg University

First round result: Win over Strongsville coach Darren Collins

Fan vote: 34 percent

Jeff Huber

Head coach: Holy Name

Played basketball at St. Edward and Ohio Wesleyan University

First round result: Win over Walsh Jesuit coach John Norris

Fan vote: 66 percent

Check out a video of some of the key shots in their meeting, and scroll down below the video to find out who won the matchup between these talented shooters.

And now the results...

DiFranco: H-O-R-S-E

Huber: H-O-R-S

Winner: Jeff Huber.

Another dramatic matchup that came down to the wire, and it was Huber that was able to walk away with the win. See what he had to say about advancing to the next round:

Next up we head over to the St. Edward region where St. Edward coach Eric Flannery will take on East Tech coach Brett Moore. Vote for the winner of the matchup below:

Contact high school sports reporter David Cassilo by email (dcassilo@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@dcassilo). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Here's a recap of the 20 Cleveland Cavaliers, Indians or Browns teams that made it to the championship round in their sports, plus the former Cleveland Rams.

The Indians have lost two in a row after winning six straight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Prince Fielder went 3-for-5 with a three-run homer and Mitch Moreland hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning as the Texas Rangers defeated the Cleveland Indians, 4-3, Tuesday night at Progressive Field.

Here is a capsule look at the game after a (quick) DVR review of the Fox SportsTime Ohio telecast:

Question: If the Indians lose across the plaza from the Cavaliers clinching a berth in the NBA Finals, did the loss actually happen?

Hot team: The Rangers (23-23) have won seven in a row. As a result, they don't resemble the team the Indians defeated twice in three games, May 15-17 in Texas.

The Rangers salvaged the finale of that series to improve to 16-22. Two days later, they lost the opener of a three-game series in Boston. They have done nothing but win since -- two in Boston, three in the Bronx and two in Cleveland.

Hot player: Fielder also singled and doubled Tuesday and leads the American League with a .371 average. Average has been devalued in the 21st century, sure, but .371 is .371. Fielder is slugging .597, with an OPS of 1.018.

Fielder has notched at least three hits in four straight games and at least two in five straight. In the past five, he is a combined 14-for-24 with three doubles, five homers, 15 RBI and nine runs.

In the series opener Monday night, Fielder was 3-for-5 with an RBI single, double and two-run homer as the Rangers prevailed, 10-8.

Tough pills: Yes, The Rangers are locked in -- but the Indians still needed to have won at least one of the first two in a series that concludes Wednesday afternoon.

The Indians entered Monday night having won six straight and eight of 10. They were continuing a homestand that began with a three-game sweep of Cincinnati.

However, with an opportunity to get on a serious roll, they whiffed. They are 20-25, last place in the AL Central, in part because they aren't winning games they realistically should.

On Monday, the Indians lost despite leading, 5-3, after two innings and 8-7 after six. Two pitchers' throwing errors helped the Rangers score twice in the seventh to take the lead for good.

On Tuesday, the Indians lost despite leading, 2-0, after one and 3-0 after four.

Fielder hit a three-run homer off right-hander Danny Salazar in the fifth.

With one out, Salazar walked Leonys Martin and plunked Shin-Soo Choo with a 1-2 pitch. Fielder socked a first-pitch hanging slider an estimated 446 feet to right-center.

In his first two at-bats, Fielder doubled on a 2-0 fastball and singled on a first-pitch fastball, so it is understandable why Salazar steered clear of the fastball to open the third AB. What is puzzling is why Salazar would opt for the slider, which is, at best, his third-best pitch, against the hottest hitter on the planet. Salazar's split-changeup has become a legitimate secondary pitch, but Fielder didn't see it in the at-bat that tied the score.

Moreland's homer, off lefty Nick Hagadone, came on a 2-0 fastball. It traveled an estimated 428 feet to right. (Hagadone had held Fielder to 0-for-2 with a strikeout and flyout in the first two games.) 

Offensive offense: The Indians' bats could have rendered the power of Fielder and Moreland moot, but they managed just five hits. They were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base.

And it is not as if they faced a lights-out starter. They dealt with finesse lefty Wandy Rodriguez (5 1/3 IP, 4 H, 3 ER) and four relievers.

Tribe No. 3 batter Michael Brantley was 0-for-2 with RISP and 0-for-5 overall. He is 1-for-9 in the series and 5-for-33 in his last eight games.

Brantley has been so consistently good that, when he struggles, it is jarring.

Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Wednesday's matinee between Texas and Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the lineups and the pitching matchup for Wednesday's matinee between Texas and Cleveland.

Pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (5-4, 4.74 ERA) vs. Colby Lewis (4-2, 3.49 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. 2B Jason Kipnis

2. 1B Carlos Santana

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. RF David Murphy

5. DH Nick Swisher

6. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall

7. SS Mike Aviles

8. CF Michael Bourn

9. C Roberto Perez

Rangers

1. CF Delino DeShields

2. RF Shin-Soo Choo

3. DH Prince Fielder

4. 3B Adrian Beltre

5. LF Josh Hamilton

6. 1B Mitch Moreland

7. SS Elvis Andrus

8. C Robinson Chirinos

9. 2B Thomas Field

Kyrie Irving found some positive reinforcement in Game 4 against Atlanta that should serve him well in the NBA Finals -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio - So apparently the Cavs or Kyrie Irving, or both, knew what was best.

Even more so than TV commentators, fans, writers and the Twitterverse.

(Seems impossible, I know, but maybe just in this one instance.)

With a sweep of Atlanta feeling imminent, Kyrie or no Kyrie, why play him?

Game 4 delivered the answer. Irving needed to make an appearance even more than the Cavs needed him to with Roller Derby Delly not up to par and with the prospect of the Golden State Warriors to come.

Irving is dealing with pain and discomfort. He's not tempting more serious injury. The longer he sat, the more ground he would have had to make up mentally when the circumstances likely required him to offset Steph Curry and Klay Thompson (OK, as of this writing, or maybe James Harden).

The Cavs knew a win would give Irving eight days off before the NBA Finals. David Blatt said they especially needed Irving with Matthew Dellavedova not at his best.

That simply served as an entry for Irving. We all know Aussies routinely walk off shark attacks and chance encounters with tarantula (both of which know better than to mess with Delly.)

 "He did fabulously," Blatt said of Irving. "He played beautiful, moved well. He was impactful. But it was a lot bigger than that. The fact that he came back to play, the fact that he wanted so badly to be part of this series and being able to move forward. He wanted to be with his guys and contribute.

"We wanted this break to let other guys heal and he stepped in there and really helped us and did a great, great job."

OK, so there's some stroking going on there. Sitting is no longer an option for Irving, barring a major setback. Had he missed Game 4, he'd have gone into the NBA finals with 15 days off between games.

Mental health days for him at this point in the season require being on the court and trusting that he's not risking injury as much as exacerbating a condition (tendinitis).

James is playing hurt. Iman Shumpert's groin won't heal until the offseason. James didn't mention Irving when he talked about playing through pain but it's worth noting James is famously passive-aggressive.

"You name them," James said of his physical issues after Game 3. "We could play doctor right now with how many injuries I got."

Irving played hurt through the Boston and Chicago series, so no one is suggesting he's compromised team goals by sitting out.

But Game 4 was more about him needing to show himself, his coaches and teammates that what he can bring to the NBA Finals while hobbled is enough to give them a chance.

"Kyrie Irving came in and gave them a boost during the game," said Atlanta guard Jeff Teague after the Cavs' 118-88 romp. "And I think they just fed off of that energy from the crowd; we just couldn't recover."

Irving scored from inside the lane, then splashed a three. He had five points in the game's first heartbeats and finished with 16.

After he sat and returned - he played 22 minutes - he didn't seem to have the same explosiveness.  Eight days off probably won't end that roller coaster.

But summer's here. The excitement is building.  Irving's Game 4 is now part of the reason why.

Because if he isn't along for the ride at even half of his immense talent, especially if the NBA finals bring Golden State, the Cavs have no real chance of reaching their destination.

In an interview with Cavaliers' owner Dan Gilbert, he says firing David Blatt was never considered.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers are headed to the 2015 NBA Finals and Head Coach David Blatt played an essential role in leading them to a destination they haven't been to in eight years.

To say that Blatt has had quite the year would be an understatement.

Not many foresaw this being the outcome with a robust roster featuring the three-headed monster of LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love getting off to a disappointing 19-20 start. It was a team in disarray, total dysfunction, and Blatt was overwhelmingly held responsible by popular opinion.

There was a three-week period beginning on Christmas Day where the Cavaliers lost 10 of their next 12 contests. James missed eight of those games to receive extended treatment on his knee and back, but the roster was still badly underperforming for their standards.

The speculation at the time was that Blatt's short days in Cleveland were numbered. And although General Manager David Griffin came to his coach's aid with a vote of confidence, calling the reports of Blatt's looming ouster "truly ridiculous," it was difficult to buy it considering how poorly the team was playing.

It was a dark period for Blatt.

In an exclusive interview with Northeast Ohio Media Group, Cavaliers' Owner Dan Gilbert said firing Blatt was never considered, and added that his confidence in his coach never wavered.

"It really didn't," Gilbert told NEOMG. "I don't care what the expectations were, especially after we changed coaches twice in two years. This was a guy with a long-term record of success. You have to at least give a season, maybe more than just one. I think it would have destabilized the entire franchise and it would have been bad."

On the court, Blatt's fortunes would change.

By way of creative talent acquisitions on the part of Griffin in trading for Timofey Mozgov, J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert, as well as James returning from his two-week hiatus with more pep in his step and Blatt overhauling the defense, the Cavaliers went on to obliterate the competition.

As of Jan. 15, Cleveland finished the regular season with an NBA-best record of 34-9. That domination carried into the playoffs, sweeping the Boston Celtics in the opening round. Those whispers about Blatt's departure subsided, but expeditiously picked back up again during the semi-finals round against division rival Chicago Bulls.

In Game 4 of that series, Blatt nearly cost his team the win by calling a timeout he didn't have in the closing seconds of the game. Associate Head Coach Tyronn Lue, mindful of the timeout situation, quickly pulled Blatt off the court before a referee could spot him.

Had an official seen Blatt signaling for a timeout, Chicago would have been awarded a free throw and possession of the ball. It went from Chicago going up 3-1 in the series to Cleveland evening the series after James' buzzer-beating, game-winning jumper.

Blatt owned his mishap and credited his coaching staff for being cognizant of the circumstances. How did Gilbert view the blunder? He insists that even if the Cavaliers had lost that game due to Blatt's timeout call, releasing him wasn't an option.

"Look, there's nobody you can point to in the world that doesn't make a mistake," Gilbert said to NEOMG. "The best players, the best business people, the best coaches. So one thing is not going to make or break a person."

Now the Cavaliers are four victories away from ending a 51-year professional championship drought in the city, and Blatt is a huge part of that.

"They wanted Coach Blatt fired, saying we needed another point guard, will LeBron and Kyrie be able to play together? So many story lines was just happening at that point in time," James said. "For us to be sitting at this point today, being able to represent the Eastern Conference in The Finals, this is special. It's very special."

Blatt's first season in the NBA has been filled with trials and tribulations like no other. This isn't what he originally signed up for, but due to his wealth of experience coaching at a high level elsewhere, he was able to adapt accordingly on the fly.

James acknowledged there's an unjust dose of scrutiny and ridicule that comes with being associated with him. That's the good and bad of coaching the best player in the game.

Whether the criticisms of Blatt were warranted or not, Gilbert believes Blatt was just an easy target and is confident that he's still the man for the job.

"I think it's natural when a team has such high expectations, under .500 halfway through the season, they're going to go after a brand new coach," Gilbert explained to NEOMG. "So I don't think it was so much him as it was the situation. You have to go by some of his body of work. This guy won 17 of 21 seasons. He won championships in four or five different countries and brought the Russians to the Olympic medal round.

"When we did checks on him, we must have talked to 70 or 80 people, literally. We couldn't find somebody to say a bad word. There's something about him. It's hard to put your finger on it, but there's something about him. He's a good soul and he knows how to get these guys to love each other, to play for the team. That to me is the most important thing"

After sweeping the Hawks, Blatt was humbled. He praised Atlanta for their professionalism in what was a hard-fought, emotional series for both teams for various reasons. It was like a sigh of relief for Blatt on that podium, knowing his team is almost close to the ultimate prize - an NBA title.

He has come a long way, and it's well deserved.

"I know it's hard for people to understand because they don't really know my path and my career, but this also is a new situation for me and a new place for me," Blatt said. "LeBron came home. I left home to come here, and I left a lot of people that I love dearly and a lot of people that I'm close, so close to, in order to pursue a dream, in order to do something in my career that I hadn't had the opportunity to do.

 "That's a big sacrifice on the part of my family and the place that I'm from. It's special because it's all worthwhile. I came here. I got the opportunity to work with a great group of guys, with the best player in the world and maybe in the history of the game. With the wonderful management who's given us every opportunity to succeed and with fans who are so loyal and have been for so many years, who just want a champion. So it makes me very happy and very proud to be a part of that and to have this experience in my life."

See the list of boys teams ranked in the fifth poll conducted by the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here is the fourth boys tennis poll conducted by members of the Ohio Tennis Coaches Association. First place votes are in parentheses.

Division I

1. Cincinnati Sycamore (10) 100

2. Upper Arlington 89

3. Massillon Jackson 79

4. Toledo St. John Jesuit 64

5. Cincinnati St. Xavier 50

6. New Albany 45

7. Cleveland St. Ignatius 43

8. Mason 38

9. Centerville 16

10. Columbus St. Charles 5

Division II

1. Cincinnati Country Day  (5) 77

2. Hunting Valley University School  (3) 75

3. Cincinnati Indian Hill   57

4. Gahanna Columbus Academy 50

5. Cincinnati Seven Hills 40

6. Hawken 34

7. Lexington 29

8. Cincinnati Wyoming 21

    Dayton Miami Valley 21

10. Toledo Ottawa Hills 15

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"It's something that, when she gets older, we can show her all of the cool things that everybody is on her side with."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- At first, Adriana saw her father's newly buzzed dome and laughed.

"She thinks it's funny," said Indians infielder Mike Aviles. "She doesn't understand it, but she knows Daddy did it. At first, she didn't like the way my head looked."

Adriana, 4, warmed up to the new look. After all, Aviles did it to support his daughter, who was diagnosed with leukemia three weeks ago. His teammates and coaches joined in, too. The majority of the roster is sporting either a buzz cut or a shaved head.

"It's kind of cool when you have your whole team on your side," Aviles said. "It goes without saying, everybody in here has families and they know how it is. It's a tough time, but to know that my team, the coaching staff, everybody, is on my family's side and my little girl's side, it helps out a lot and makes me feel good."

Aviles left the team for about a week and a half to be with his family upon Adriana's diagnosis. She was initially treated at the Cleveland Clinic. He rejoined the club in Chicago on May 18, after the Indians had placed him on the Family Medical Emergency list and then the restricted list.

"I do think the games have been good for him -- a little bit of a release and a place to go," said manager Terry Francona. "And he knows he's got some people that care about him."

Pitching coach Mickey Callaway parted ways with his hair.

"I think it's great," Callaway said. "I have two daughters. I have a cousin that recently went through cancer and her mom went through three bouts with cancer -- a cancer survivor three times. It's difficult for families to go through that and we wanted Mike to know that we're part of his family. We support everything that his family is going through, especially for her, that she can look up and say, 'Hey, those guys really care about us.' That's the point of it all."

Adriana is at home, "plugging away," Aviles said.

"It kills me not to be home the entire time," Aviles said. "At the same time, I know my wife is a great mom. She's doing a great job with her, so everything is good at home. I have to get back and do the things that help provide for the family. I've spent a lot of time on FaceTime, talking through there. It's definitely an interesting time. The way I see it is, she's going to fight and I'll be right there with her. It's good to know that we have a lot of support on her side.

"It's something that, when she gets older, we can show her all of the cool things that everybody is on her side with."