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Akron Zips continue to roll with 73-64 victory at Ball State

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The Akron Zips defeated Ball State, 73-64, for their fourth straight win in the Mid-American Conference.

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The Akron Zips used a balanced scoring attack to defeat Ball State, 73-64, in a Mid-American Conference men's basketball game Saturday in Worthen Arena.

The win raised Akron's record to 17-4, 6-2 in the MAC. The Zips have won four straight and 14 of their last 16. Ball State slips to 13-8, 4-4.

Seven Zips scored seven points or more, led by senior wing Reggie McAdams with 15, Antino Jackson with 14 and Isaiah Johnson with 13. Additionally, Noah Robotham and Jake Kretzer scored eight each, while Kwan Cheatham and Pat Forsythe had seven apiece.

That balance helped offset a little defensive blip. The Zips came into the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA in 3-point field goal defense, but Ball State made 12 of 25 (48 percent) to keep Akron from pulling away.

Akron used a 14-4 run in the first half to build a 39-28 lead at the half, but Ball State closed to 56-53 midway through the second half. The Zips then ran off 13 straight points, including five by Johnson, to effectively seal the win.

Jeremie Tyler had 18 points for the Cardinals and Bo Calhoun added 15.

Akron made 26 of 50 field goals (52 percent), including 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range. The Zips also had a 29-22 advantage on the boards.

Up next: Akron will play at Ohio University on Tuesday at 7. ... The Zips return home next Friday to entertain Central Michigan at 8 (CBS Sports Network).

AKRON 73, BALL STATE 64

Akron (17-4): Cheatham Jr. 3-5 0-0 7, McAdams 6-12 0-0 15, Forsythe 3-3 1-2 7, Robotham 3-7 0-0 8, An. Jackson 4-9 4-4 14, Ivey 0-1 1-2 1, Williams 0-3 0-0 0, Kretzer 2-3 2-2 8, Johnson 5-7 3-5 13. Totals 26-50 11-15 73.

Ball State (13-8): Calhoun 6-9 0-0 15, House 3-8 2-4 8, Weber 1-4 0-0 3, Kiapway 2-5 0-0 5, Tyler 7-14 0-1 18, Smith 0-0 0-0 0, Davis 1-1 0-0 2, Sellers 3-3 0-0 9, Moses 2-4 0-0 4, Wells 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 25-49 2-5 64.

Halftime-Akron 39-28. 3-Point Goals-Akron 10-24 (McAdams 3-6, Kretzer 2-2, Robotham 2-4, An. Jackson 2-6, Cheatham Jr. 1-3, Ivey 0-1, Williams 0-2), Ball St. 12-25 (Tyler 4-9, Sellers 3-3, Calhoun 3-6, Kiapway 1-3, Weber 1-4). Fouled Out-None. Rebounds-Akron 29 (McAdams 8), Ball St. 22 (House 6). Assists-Akron 18 (Robotham 7), Ball St. 20 (Tyler, Weber 4). Total Fouls-Akron 14, Ball St. 14. A-3,021.


Texas police search for Johnny Manziel with helicopter, investigating him for possible assault of ex-girlfriend

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Forth Worth police searched for Johnny Manziel with a helicopter early Saturday morning and are investigating him for possibly assaulting his ex-girlfriend.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --- Texas police searched for Johnny Manziel with a helicopter early Saturday morning and are investigating allegations that he assaulted his ex-girlfriend.

According to a statement by the Forth Worth police, they used their Air One Unit helicopter to try to find Manziel because the female -- who told police Manziel was her ex-boyfriend -- was worried about his well-being.

They tried several of his cell phone numbers and checked locations around the Forth Worth area, but couldn't find him. It was later determined that he was safe and in no danger.

But police in Fort Worth and Dallas are still working together to determine if Manziel assaulted the female. Dallas police said in a statement that they're in the preliminary stages of the investigation and that they'll have no further information at this time.

"When additional information becomes available it will be released as appropriate,'' they said.

It's the second time Manziel is being investigated for possible domestic violence. The first time was Oct. 13 when he was involved with an argument on Interstate 90 with his then-girlfriend Colleen Crowley, which then spilled over to the side of the road in Avon, Ohio. Crowley told police that Manziel beat her and shoved her head into the glass of the car, but later said he didn't hurt her.

Neither Manziel nor Crowley, who was drunk at the time of the questioning, were arrested for the incident. Manziel was also later cleared by the NFL of harming Crowley.

In this instance, Fort Worth police were called to The Berkeley Apartments near Texas Christian University -- where Crowley is a student -- regarding a report of a possible assault. They didn't locate the caller, but came across a 23-year-old woman who said she been involved in a disturbance with her ex-boyfriend earlier that night in Dallas and possibly other locations.

Police found the female to be uncooperative, and therefore couldn't determine where the incident took place. They notified the Dallas police of a possible disturbance in that area.

The woman then told police she was worried about Manziel's well-being, and they launched the search for him, breaking out the helicopter when they couldn't reach him by phone or by land. After determining that Manziel was safe, they began collaborating with the Dallas police on whether or not he had assaulted the female.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told cleveland.com of the incident "we are aware and looking into it.''

The Browns and Manziel's publicist Denise Michaels declined comment. Manziel's agent, Erik Burkhardt, did not return a text seeking comment.

Last year at this time, Manziel checked himself into an addiction treatment center, where he remained for 73 days for an unspecified issue. Since his release in April, he's frequently turned up on social media with bottles of alcohol in hand.

Sources have told cleveland.com that they've been extremely worried about Manziel's behavior for months.

This latest incident also comes two months after Manziel was cleared by the NFL of harming Crowley during the Oct. 13 incident.

The league -- which conducts its own investigations into possible domestic violence cases regardless of whether or not one of its own has been arrested -- brought in its heavy hitter, investigator Lisa Friel, to interview Manziel Oct. 28 at the Browns' facility in Berea. He was represented by NFLPA attorney Heather McPhee, who helped overturn Ray Rice's indefinite ban by the NFL for his domestic incident.

The NFL also interviewed Crowley and the Avon Police before deciding not to suspend him.

"Based on the information gathered, we have concluded that there is an insufficient basis on which to take disciplinary action,'' the NFL said in a statement. "In all cases of this nature, our concern under the Personal Conduct Policy goes well beyond the issue of discipline, and we have made comprehensive professional resources available on a confidential basis.''

Upon being cleared -- the same day he was named the starter for the final six games of the season --  Manziel issued a statement saying that league's decision should put to rest any thoughts that he had hurt Crowley.

"I appreciate the NFL's  diligence and discretion in reviewing a situation that was both personal and embarrassing,'' Manziel said. "Colleen and I cooperated fully with the NFL's process and completely support their goals of making sure that every family under their umbrella is safer and more secure.

"I'm grateful that the review was so thorough and fair that there should be no question left in the public mind about what actually happened.''

He also vowed shortly thereafter that he would no longer generate negative headlines -- especially over the bye week in late November.

Related: Manziel vows not to be an embarrassment anymore

"I let (coach Mike Pettine)  know that I'm not going to do anything that's going to be a distraction to this team or be an embarrassment to the organization,'' he said. "I'm going to get a chance to go and relax like everybody else in this locker room is. I don't think they're going to have to worry about me this week."

However, the Crowley incident kicked off a string of transgressions that has the club seriously contemplating parting with him as soon as possible.

Manziel can be waived Feb. 8 and traded March 9 at 4 p.m.

Over the bye week, Manziel partied night after night and then lied to the coaches about it. As a result, he lost his starting job and was initially demoted to third string.
He ultimately got his job back for the final four games of the season, but continued to be photographed and videotaped out partying.

Finally, the Wednesday before the season finale, he came to Berea complaining of concussion symptoms and was ruled out of the season-ending loss to Pittsburgh on Thursday with a concussion. But that didn't stop him from going to Las Vegas the Saturday before the game, where USA TODAY Sports reported that he wore a blond wig and fake mustache to disguise himself. He also introduced himself as Billy.

Manziel missed his concussion treatment the day of the season finale and was fined by the Browns. When he showed up the next day, the Browns gave him the cold shoulder, league sources said. That day, Jimmy Haslam and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Sashi Brown addressed the team about Pettine's firing. They didn't have the time -- or the desire -- to deal with Manziel.

Sources told cleveland.com shortly after Hue Jackson was hired that he would not want to move forward with Manziel as his starting quarterback. Jackson also said during a radio interview that Manziel going to Vegas for the season-finale would say 'non-starter' to him.

This week at the Senior Bowl, Brown told cleveland.com that Manziel "has a chance'' to be with the team next year but that he needs to demonstrate that football is the most important thing in his life.

Sashi Brown: Manziel must show that football is most important in his life

Sources told cleveland.com that Manziel was "a train wreck'' as the season wore on.
Browns owner Jimmy Haslam said Thursday night at the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards that the relationship could be repaired.

That was, of course, before this latest incident involving the troubled quarterback.

Cleveland Browns: Analytics can only be an improvement -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

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Analytics in the NFL is a concept that sounds scarier than it should. After what Browns fans have seen from recent regimes, the Harvard connection in Berea can only bring smarter decisions -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Far from scaring off Browns fans, analytics should be embraced after what we've seen recently.

* An undersized, overserved (by his father's own admission) quarterback taken in first round.

* A hard-sleeping cornerback whom few in Berea had actually met before drafting him, according to one report, taken at No. 8 overall.

* A soft offensive lineman drafted perhaps with Alex Mack opting out of a contract in mind.

* Moving up a spot to take a running back at No. 3.

* Moving up again to take a 28-year-old quarterback from a pitch-and-catch college offense.

* Ignoring the wide receiver position in the draft as if it were the equivalent of long snapper.

(Name the one wide receiver drafted under Ray Farmer. Win zero prizes if you know where he is now without use of Wikipedia.)

* Nine million guaranteed to a receiver who had zero TD catches the season before.

If you've matched Johnny Manziel, Justin Gilbert, Cam ErvingTrent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Vince Mayle and Dwayne Bowe, congratulations. You, especially, shouldn't be worried that three guys from Harvard might actually overanalyze talent acquisition.

Harvard pedigrees should look pretty good to you right about now. We've seen regimes worth lampooning. Why not try this Harvard?

One of the more encouraging things about the new order in Berea was Paul DePodesta's take on analytics. They expect to make mistakes. Everyone does. The idea is to make them despite sound reasoning and analysis.

Own the blunders. Move on.

There are acceptable mistakes and bad mistakes. The acceptable mistake is the smoothly struck putt that simply doesn't find the hole. It happens. DePodesta believes more times than not if you pay attention to details and go down your check list, you'll get good results. If you get good results and your process was sound but it just doesn't work out, it should make it easier to move on from the bad result.

There should be less ego involved. Ego, disconnected from critical analysis and logic, is never good.

Hopefully for Browns fans, the days of drafting the exception because there's a similar example having success in the league (Russell Wilson) are over. Size is all Wilson ever had in common with Manziel, but that didn't stop the Browns.

We're told Manziel was the top-rated quarterback on the Browns board when they picked him. Even though the $100,000 study conducted showed Teddy Bridgewater as the best choice.

I'm not sold on Bridgewater as a Super Bowl quarterback. I just know he's helped his team improve and carried himself as a franchise leader. And no police helicopter has searched for him in the aftermath of a domestic incident call. That we know of.

Manziel being investigated for domestic incident

Even if the latest news report involving Manziel didn't surface, even if he'd finished the season arm-in-arm with his teammates, even if he'd improved on the field without setting off alarms away from football, any new regime would ask:

Is this a face of the franchise quarterback? Does he have the size, skills? Is he a playoff QB? Is he dedicated to his craft? Can you win a Super Bowl with him someday?

Ray Farmer might still say yes.

But my guess -- the hope, really, for Browns fans -- is three out of three Harvard grads will say absolutely not and put precautions in place to limit the big swings and misses.

Cleveland Browns must cut ties with Johnny Manziel as soon as the NFL allows them: Tom Reed

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The latest incident only serves as a reminder of what an embarrassment Manziel has become to the franchise. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - The Browns made a mistake two years ago in drafting Johnny Manziel. They would make a larger one by not cutting him the moment the NFL allows teams to release players on Feb. 8.

Forget trying to trade the troubled and entitled Texan. Whatever market there is for a marginal starter with a list of off-field missteps longer than the roll call of post-1999 Browns' quarterbacks seems immaterial after his latest incident Saturday morning.

For the second time in four months, authorities are investigating Manziel for a domestic dispute. No charges were filed for the first altercation that took place alongside an Avon roadway in October.

No arrests were made again early Saturday morning in suburban Dallas, but the police probe remains ongoing for a possible assault. The woman, described as an ex-girlfriend, was so concerned about Manziel's mental and physical well being, according to a police report, authorities dispatched a helicopter to search for the quarterback.

We've come a long, sad way since the Browns merely sent team personnel to his downtown Cleveland apartment at the end of the 2014 season to check on him following a night of boozing. Manziel has embarrassed the franchise so many ways, on so many levels, it's difficult to keep track of them.

Related: Police searched for Manziel with a helicopter

They have supported him, coddled him, enabled him, bit their collective tongue for him. Only former coach Mike Pettine had the backbone to bench him. Pettine took a beating from the blind Manziel zealots for disciplining their beloved rebel. He saw through Manziel's con from Day One, but too often had to acquiesce due to the team's management and injuries to other quarterbacks.

As Pettine prepared to coach his final game on Jan. 3, the supposedly concussed Manziel was reportedly partying in Las Vegas wearing a disguise. The player who entered the league as a brash anti-establishment hero has devolved into a pitiful spectacle of overindulgence - his word carrying as much currency as Confederate money.

You hope the kid can get the help he needs. My colleague Mary Kay Cabot has been advocating for his return to rehab since October. Manziel has no shortage of money or charisma if he can get his life back together.

The Browns witnessed significant progress on the field from the quarterback in 2015, but not enough to keep tolerating the chicanery and, in several cases, disturbing acts of behavior. Manziel once again is under investigation by the league.

The Browns don't need three Harvard-educated front office members to know what's right here. New coach Hue Jackson and co-owner Dee Haslam - a member of a nine-person NFL conduct committee formed in 2014 - strike me as folks who were ready for a clean break even before Saturday's altercation. Cleveland.com recently reported Jackson made it clear in the interview process he wants to move on from No. 2.

The Browns stood by Manziel when he went through rehab last spring and did their best to protect his privacy. What they shouldn't do now is try to recoup compensation for him in a trade market that doesn't open until March. The organization's integrity should be worth more than a late or conditional draft pick.

If Jerry Jones still wants Manziel, it's the Cowboys owner who should be placed in the league's concussion protocol.

Unless the NFL prohibits any move during an open investigation or suspension, Cleveland needs to release Johnny Manziel on Feb. 8. The Browns don't need analytics to guide them -- just a bit of common sense.

If you can beat 'em, join 'em: Rajai Davis hoping trends reverse when it comes to Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers

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The Indians own a 19-37 record against the Detroit Tigers over the last three years. Rajai Davis played in the Motor City each of the last two seasons, during which the Tigers have amassed a 22-15 mark against the Tribe. If you can beat 'em, join 'em. Or something like that.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians own a 19-37 record against the Detroit Tigers over the last three years.

Rajai Davis played in the Motor City each of the last two seasons, during which the Tigers have amassed a 22-15 mark against the Tribe.

If you can beat 'em, join 'em. Or something like that.

Davis has been a part of the division-rival demolition. In 2014-15, he posted a .316/.442/.453 slash line in 95 at-bats against Cleveland. Last year, he batted .381 with a 1.028 OPS in 42 at-bats, with six stolen bases against the Indians.

"I hated him the last four or five years," said Tribe manager Terry Francona, "because he's been a thorn in our side. He just has created havoc when he's played against us, and what's nice is he can do it without playing every day. He can do it playing four times a week, five times a week and when [Michael] Brantley comes back healthy, that's probably where he fits in.

"But it's a nice addition for us, because that's what we envisioned with [Michael Bourn] and it didn't necessarily work out that way. But if you can get a guy that can get on base and kind of disturb the game a little bit, that really helps a lot."

Indians sign Rajai Davis to one-year contract

Even though he -- and many of his teammates -- have torched Tribe pitching in recent years, Davis is encouraged by the staff the Indians will carry into the new season.

"Playing the Indians all year long," Davis said, "you see that pitching staff. We have some good, talented arms."

The Indians added Davis to their bountiful crop of outfielders this winter. The 35-year-old -- who joked that he made up with catcher Yan Gomes, since the two collided at home plate last April and cost Gomes six weeks of action -- can play all three outfield spots. He has averaged 37 stolen bases per year since 2008, but he tallied a career-low 18 last season. He said he was given the green light less frequently because of the power threats batting behind him (Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez).

"I've never stopped running," Davis said. "That's been my M.O. every year. It's my kind of game. That's my game. That's what I do. That's what I make sure I stay on top of and make sure my body is healthy enough to do that."

Davis said he is thrilled he no longer has to face the Indians' starting pitchers.

"[Corey] Kluber is a Cy Young winner," he said. "He has a nasty out pitch. [Carlos] Carrasco, he gets two strikes on you and he has to make a mistake. Otherwise, you're out. [Danny] Salazar and these guys throw hard."

Davis made 54 of his 73 starts last year in the leadoff spot. Overall, the Connecticut native logged a .258/.306/.440 slash line. He said he prefers to hit atop the lineup, though he added that manager Terry Francona "has a grasp of what he has here" and "knows what he's doing."

"I like to set the tone and get on base and score runs and help us," Davis said. "I think I can be most effective at the top of the lineup."

The Indians' offense will enter the season with some questions. Will the pitching staff prove capable of carrying the club, especially against Detroit's annually potent offense?

"You have these younger guys who have another year of experience," Davis said. "Now they're getting older, a little more mature. You would think they would develop a little bit more, get a little smarter. The talent is already there.

"We have power pitchers. This is what this game is about. The Tigers have some offense, but good pitching stops good offense. I think that's what we have."

Lake Erie Monsters fall to Texas Stars, 3-2, split series

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The Lake Erie Monsters lost to the Texas Stars, 3-2, Saturday afternoon, less than 24 hours after winning by the same score, to split their weekend AHL series at the Quicken Loans Arena.

013016 Monsters Game Summary.jpg 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Lake Erie Monsters fell 3-2 to the Texas Stars on Saturday afternoon, splitting their weekend series at The Q.

The loss dropped the Monsters to 22-16-4-3 with a .567 percentage, alone in fifth place in the AHL's Central Division. Texas, in second place in the Pacific Division,  improved to 25-17-3-3.

A turnover by the Monsters in the tight-checking first period allowed Texas forward Radek Faska to notch an unassisted goal at 11:00.

Lake Erie evened the match at 7:44 of the second period when Trent Vogelhuber re-directed an Eric Roy power-play shot, with Jaime Sifers collecting the secondary assist on the play. The Stars answered back and regained the lead at 9:49, when Curtis McKenzie crashed the net and poked a rebound past Lake Erie goaltender Anton Forsberg.

Lake Erie re-tied the game at 5:15 of the third period, when Daniel Zaar deflected a John Ramage point shot past Texas goalie Maxime Lagace at 5:15, but a power-play goal by Faksa at 13:47 gave the Stars their winning margin.

Forsberg, on loan from Columbus during the NHL All-Star break, had a 33-save performance but took the loss, leaving him 13-8-3 this season for the Monsters. Lagace stopped 37 of 39 shots for the win.

The Monsters were called for five penalties totaling 10 minutes. Texas had six totaling 14 minutes.

Attendance was 9,567.

Next up: The 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic, scheduled for Sunday and Monday in Syracuse, has the Monsters off until next weekend, when they visit the Bojangles Coliseum for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday games vs. the Charlotte Checkers.

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. San Antonio Spurs: Live chat and updates

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Get the latest updates and analysis on the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the San Antonio Spurs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers look to extend their winning streak to four games and avenge an earlier loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night. 

Follow along in the comments section as Chris Haynes, Joe Vardon and Chris Fedor bring you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Haynes, Vardon and Fedor on Twitter.

Game 46: Cavs (33-12) vs. Spurs (39-7)

Tip off: 8:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena

TV/radio: ABC; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7 FM, 87.7 FM (ESP)

Cavs probable starting lineup: Kyrie Irving, J.R. Smith, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson.

Spurs probable starting lineup: Tony Parker, Danny Green, Kyle Anderson, Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

FREQUENTLY REFRESH this page to get the latest updates. If you're viewing this on a mobile app, click here to get updates and comment.

Cleveland State falls in overtime to Illinois-Chicago, 72-70

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The Cleveland State Vikings were beaten in overtime Saturday by Illinois-Chicago, 72-70.

CHICAGO -- The Cleveland State Vikings battled into overtime on Saturday before falling to the Illinois-Chicago Flames, 72-70, in a Horizon League men's basketball game at the UIC Pavilion.

Najeal Young hit a baseline jumper with two seconds remaining in overtime to win the game and give UIC its first HL win of the season. The Flames are now 3-18 overall and 1-9 in league play, while CSU falls to 7-16, 2-8.

The Vikings had gone up, 70-67, on a jumper by Demonte Flannigan with 3:10 left in overtime, but had a turnover and missed three shots the rest of the way. A jumper by UIC's Jake Weigand tied it 70-70 at 1:19, setting the stage for Young.

CSU used a 25-9 run and grabbed a lead past the mid-point of the first half. The Vikings led, 37-29, at the half and remained ahead, 64-57, with 2:12 remaining in regulation but UIC went to the foul line five times after that Dikembe Dixson scored four points over the last 1:07 of regulation to tie the game, 64-64, and force the overtime.

UIC should have won the game at the foul line, holding a 47-22 advantage in foul shots taken. But the Flames made only 26 (55 percent). CSU was only a little better, making 14 for 64 percent. The Vikings also made just 4 of 18 3-pointers.

Kenny Carpenter led the Vikings with a career-high 24 points and added seven rebounds. Jibri Blount had 15 points, Flannigan had 11 and Rob Edwards had 10 for CSU.

Dixson finished with 24 while Young had 17 points and 15 rebounds.

Up next: CSU returns home to host Detroit on Thursday at 7:30 pm in the Wolstein Center.

ILLINOIS-CHICAGO 72, CLEVELAND STATE 70, OT

Cleveland State (7-16): Flannigan 5-6 1-3 11, Blount 5-7 5-8 15, Hales 0-3 0-0 0, Edwards 3-9 2-2 10, Carpenter 10-21 2-2 24, Sloan 1-1 0-0 2, Hasbargen 0-2 0-0 0, Maxwell 0-1 2-2 2, Scales 0-0 0-0 0, Rogers 1-3 1-3 3, Zollo 1-4 1-2 3. Totals 26-57 14-22 70.

Illinois-Chicago (3-18): Dixson 6-17 10-16 24, Young 6-11 5-9 17, Odiase 3-5 2-4 8, Whitaker 1-5 4-6 7, Kolawole 1-5 1-4 3, Torres 1-1 0-0 2, Hackett 0-0 0-0 0, McGuire 1-1 1-3 4, Wiegand 2-5 3-6 7. Totals 21-50 26-48 72.

Halftime-Cleveland St. 37-29. End Of Regulation-Tied 64. 3-Point Goals-Cleveland St. 4-18 (Edwards 2-4, Carpenter 2-8, Hales 0-1, Hasbargen 0-2, Zollo 0-3), Ill.-Chicago 4-7 (Dixson 2-5, McGuire 1-1, Whitaker 1-1). Fouled Out-Flannigan, Odiase, Torres, Zollo. Rebounds-Cleveland St. 39 (Carpenter 7), Ill.-Chicago 39 (Young 15). Assists-Cleveland St. 16 (Blount 4), Ill.-Chicago 13 (Whitaker 6). Total Fouls-Cleveland St. 34, Ill.-Chicago 20. Technical-Zollo. A-2,980.


Johnny Manziel's run-ins, lies and embarrassments that threaten his NFL career

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Johnny Manziel has been anything but dependable since the Cleveland Browns selected him in the 2014 draft. Here is a look at what has gotten him to this point.

Senior Bowl 2016: Arkansas QB Brandon Allen leads South over North, 27-16

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Arkansas Allen passed for a game-high 106 yards, including a couple of on-target deep balls.

MOBILE, Ala. -- SEC West quarterbacks Dak Prescott, Jake Coker and Brandon Allen all led scoring drives to help lead the South to a 27-16 win over the North in Saturday's Senior Bowl.

Arkansas Allen passed for a game-high 106 yards, including a couple of on-target deep balls. Mississippi State's Prescott threw for 61 yards and a touchdown with both teams rotating their four quarterbacks after each quarter.

Both were 7-of-10 passing.

Baylor's 6-foot-7 defensive end Shawn Oakman loomed large on the North defense. He racked up two first-half sacks and a forced fumble.

The game's top quarterback prospect, North Dakota State's Carson Wentz, had a mostly quiet first quarter. He completed 6 of 10 passes for 50 yards and the North didn't score.

Ohio State quarterback-turned-receiver Braxton Miller also didn't produce big plays on offense.

Miller, whose play got a lot of attention during the week in practice, had two catches for 8 yards and a 5-yard run while dropping a short pass. He did have a 31-yard kick return, one of the few roles he didn't play at Ohio State.

Each quarter had a two-minute warning to give more quarterbacks a chance to run the offense in that situation.

The game's rule switching possession after each quarter helped keep the North benefiting more from a huge special teams play.

USC's Cody Kessler couldn't get the North into the end zone before the third ended after a long blocked kick return and the South got the ball right back. Kessler couldn't hit an open Miller in the end zone.

Wisconsin's Joe Schobert blocked a field goal attempt and West Virginia's K.J. Dillon returned it 73 yards in the final seconds of the quarter.

That came after Allen's best drive.

He threw a pretty deep ball to Kansas State tight end Glenn Gronkowski -- younger brother of New England Patriots star Rob -- late in the third quarter. Then he fired another pass to Paul McRoberts, the first player from FCS Southeast Missouri to make the game.

Rewinding the South's 27-16 victory over the North in the Reese's Senior Bowl

McRoberts, who caught a 5-yard touchdown from Prescott, gained 46 receiving yards and returned a punt 27 yards.

Ohio State tight end Nick Vannett led North players with three catches for 58 yards.

For the South, North Carolina State's Jacoby Brissett, a Florida transfer, got into the act with a touchdown drive in the fourth.

He and former Gators teammate Jeff Driskel -- who played his final season at Louisiana Tech -- matched up in the final quarter. Driskel's wobbly throw on the final play went for a 29-yard touchdown to Aaron Burbridge of Michigan State.

Alabama's Coker, a Mobile native who led the Crimson Tide's national champion run in his lone season as starter, played the first quarter and helped set up a 25-yard touchdown scamper by TCU's Aaron Green.

Cleveland Cavaliers need to prove they're legit with win over San Antonio Spurs

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If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to be taken seriously as a contender, then they need to beat the San Antonio Spurs tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - If the Cleveland Cavaliers want to be taken seriously, beating the San Antonio Spurs tonight would help.

It's time to put up or shut up. David Blatt is not around. There's no scapegoat.

For a team with championship aspirations, they are voided of a single signature win this season. Their 33-12 record is a product of taking care of opponents they are supposed to beat, but they've faltered against the two supreme Western Conference teams.

Tonight's game is an ABC prime-time affair at Quicken Loans Arena, where the Cavaliers were trounced by Golden State. Before a contest that ended up sealing Blatt's fate, players were ticked off with Stephen Curry's comments about hoping to still smell champagne in the visiting team's locker room.

At game's end, the Warriors had won five straight against the Cavaliers -- three in The Finals, on Christmas Day at home and then the Rout at The Q. Apparently being miffed doesn't equate to being motivated.

San Antonio will be without Tim Duncan tonight. It will be a long finish to the regular season if Cleveland goes 0-for-4 against the Warriors and Spurs. Players wouldn't acknowledge it publicly, but it would have an effect.

Now the team is scratching their heads to the fact LeBron James will be the lone player representative in the All-Star Game in Toronto next month.

"It's definitely a kick in the rear end for our team for sure, knowing all the work we put into it, and knowing the two other guys," James said.

Well, take it out on the best competition. It's time to start gaining ground in the championship conversation.

If the Cavaliers can't win this evening, it just could be they're just not good enough and probably won't be in June, either. Which means GM David Griffin will have to spend more of owner Dan Gilbert's money to improve the roster.

But that shouldn't be the case. This is one of the deepest rosters in the league and it features the long-standing best player in the game. Ownership and management have done their part.

The team got the coach they want. Fun has allegedly been restored. The offense is now operating at a quicker pace. It's time for results. It's time for the players to take ownership. The excuses are gone. Stop beating up on the little guys and knock out someone your own size. San Antonio would qualify as their size.

Get it done.

Ohio high school girls basketball statewide scores for Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016

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Ohio high school girls basketball statewide scores for Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here are Ohio high school girls basketball statewide scores for Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016.

Akr. Hoban 57, Mentor Lake Cath. 36


Akr. Springfield 44, Akr. Ellet 35


Alliance Marlington 37, Salem 33


Andrews Osborne Academy 51, Newbury 30


Apple Creek Waynedale 36, Bellville Clear Fork 34


Arcadia 47, Harrod Allen E. 36


Aurora 62, Copley 56


Avon 56, Amherst Steele 45


Barberton 59, Kent Roosevelt 51


Batavia Amelia 37, Georgetown 34


Bay Village Bay 53, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 30


Beavercreek 66, Clayton Northmont 39


Bedford 85, Warrensville Hts. 53


Bellbrook 60, Day. Oakwood 29


Beloit W. Branch 69, Alliance 40


Berea-Midpark 61, N. Olmsted 42


Berlin Hiland 79, Strasburg-Franklin 19


Bidwell River Valley 52, Belpre 51


Botkins 59, Lima Perry 30


Brookfield 66, Andover Pymatuning Valley 25


Cambridge 43, New Philadelphia 32


Can. McKinley 58, Can. Glenoak 44


Canal Fulton Northwest 54, Akr. Coventry 51


Cardington-Lincoln 41, Marion Elgin 35


Carrollton 62, Minerva 46


Centerville 47, Kettering Fairmont 31


Chagrin Falls 43, Perry 40


Chagrin Falls Kenston 60, Mayfield 34


Chardon NDCL 47, Cle. Hts. Beaumont 32


Chillicothe 50, Wilmington 41


Cin. Christian 46, Cin. Hills Christian Academy 44


Cin. Clark Montessori 55, Cin. Seven Hills 44


Cin. Glen Este 68, Cin. Anderson 40


Cin. Madeira 57, Cin. Indian Hill 47


Cin. Mariemont 66, Reading 19


Cin. McNicholas 50, Cin. Purcell Marian 45


Cin. Mercy 47, Cin. Hughes 39


Cin. NW 59, Harrison 12


Cin. Oak Hills 55, Middletown 35


Cin. Walnut Hills 54, Cin. Turpin 45


Cin. Winton Woods 84, Day. Ponitz Tech. 43


Cin. Wyoming 61, Cin. Finneytown 17


Clarksville Clinton-Massie 66, Lees Creek E. Clinton 31


Cle. E. Tech 55, Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown 44


Cle. Horizon Science 38, Cle. St. Martin De Porres 34


Cols. Briggs 44, Mt. Vernon 42


Cols. DeSales 43, Pataskala Licking Hts. 38


Cols. Hartley 66, Chillicothe Unioto 42


Cols. Ready 56, Worthington Christian 37


Cols. South 45, Groveport Madison Christian 41


Cols. Walnut Ridge 51, Cols. Whetstone 28


Cols. Wellington 40, Cols. Grandview Hts. 37


Columbia Station Columbia 60, Lorain Clearview 32


Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 33, Gnadenhutten Indian Valley 31


Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 49, Parma Padua 33


Cuyahoga Hts. 35, Gates Mills Hawken 21


Danville 90, Lucas 28


Day. Christian 42, New Paris National Trail 40


Delaware Christian 32, New Hope Christian 10


Detroit Country Day, Mich. 69, Tol. Waite 21


E. Cle. Shaw 40, Shaker Hts. Laurel 37


Eastlake N. 60, Willoughby S. 36


Eaton 33, Germantown Valley View 22


Elyria Cath. 38, Rocky River 28


Euclid 50, Medina 48


Fairborn 48, W. Carrollton 40


Fairfield 63, Cin. Sycamore 46


Fairfield Christian 62, Canal Winchester Harvest Prep 25


Fairview, Ky. 54, Portsmouth Sciotoville 40


Fostoria St. Wendelin 57, New Riegel 40


Franklin 49, Brookville 31


Franklin Middletown Christian 71, Lou. Portland Christian, Ky. 17


Fremont St. Joseph 53, Sandusky St. Mary 38


Ft. Loramie 52, Anna 43


Ft. Recovery 65, Union City Mississinawa Valley 21


Galion Northmor 65, Howard E. Knox 28


Gates Mills Gilmour 65, Parma Normandy 35


Gibsonburg 46, Tol. Emmanuel Baptist 31


Granville 46, Cols. Bexley 45


Granville Christian 42, Corning Miller 27


Greenfield McClain 52, Hillsboro 48


Greenwich S. Cent. 68, Plymouth 33


Hamilton Badin 60, St. Bernard Roger Bacon 35


Hamilton Ross 49, Morrow Little Miami 44


Hilliard Bradley 47, Ashville Teays Valley 41


Holgate 54, McComb 49


Homestead, Ind. 55, Notre Dame Academy 41


Huber Hts. Wayne 62, Springfield 16


Hudson WRA 37, Peninsula Woodridge 35


Ironton 67, Albany Alexander 33


Jamestown Greeneview 94, Spring. Cath. Cent. 30


Kalida 48, Pandora-Gilboa 39


Kettering Alter 56, Day. Carroll 54


Kidron Cent. Christian 49, Mansfield Christian 34


Kings Mills Kings 55, Cin. Withrow 25


Kirtland 50, Independence 17


Lakeside Danbury 64, Tol. Maumee Valley 32


Lakewood 67, Grafton Midview 33


Lancaster Fisher Cath. 65, Millersport 30


Leavittsburg LaBrae 37, Orwell Grand Valley 35


Lebanon 39, Miamisburg 35


Lewis Center Olentangy 56, Cols. Centennial 38


Liberty Christian Academy 39, Powell Village Academy 25


Liberty Twp. Lakota E. 58, Cin. Princeton 50


Lima Shawnee 50, Ft. Jennings 33


Lima Sr. 78, Elida 49


Lodi Cloverleaf 63, Wooster Triway 58


Logan 71, Gallipolis Gallia 37


Louisville 59, Can. South 23


Louisville Aquinas 54, Youngs. Valley Christian 40


Loveland 33, Milford 28


Lynchburg-Clay 60, Chillicothe Zane Trace 20


Macedonia Nordonia 49, N. Royalton 40


Malvern 91, Warren Lordstown 40


Manchester 71, Augusta, Ky. 36


Mansfield Sr. 77, Cols. Northland 49


Mansfield St. Peter's 55, Loudonville 48


Maple Hts. 71, Lorain 49


Marion Pleasant 60, Caledonia River Valley 45


Mason 77, Hamilton 49


Massillon Jackson 59, Uniontown Lake 44


Massillon Perry 61, Wooster 32


Massillon Tuslaw 49, Zoarville Tuscarawas Valley 43


Medina Buckeye 60, Sheffield Brookside 36


Medina Highland 40, Tallmadge 38


Mentor 62, Strongsville 46


Middlefield Cardinal 45, Fairport Harbor Harding 40


Middletown Fenwick 46, Day. Chaminade Julienne 36


Middletown Madison Senior 49, New Lebanon Dixie 44


Milan Edison 44, Huron 33


Miller City 63, Haviland Wayne Trace 57


Millersburg W. Holmes 67, Lexington 25


Mineral Ridge 39, Bristol 28


Minster 59, Arlington 46


Mogadore 70, Akr. Elms 31


Monclova Christian 48, Lima Temple Christian 19


Monroe 31, Camden Preble Shawnee 24


Mt. Notre Dame 80, Oxford Talawanda 49


N. Can. Hoover 50, Green 40


N. Ridgeville Lake Ridge 71, Christian Community School 30


New Carlisle Tecumseh 92, Spring. Greenon 27


New Concord John Glenn 57, Zanesville W. Muskingum 44


New Hope Christian 42, Tree of Life 22


New Knoxville 56, St. Marys Memorial 49


New Lexington 48, Dresden Tri-Valley 32


New London 48, Norwalk St. Paul 38


New Richmond 66, Miami Valley Christian Academy 50


Newton Local 64, Covington 46


Oak Harbor 58, Sandusky Perkins 46


Olmsted Falls 55, Avon Lake 37


Oregon Stritch 45, Northwood 43


Orrville 65, Smithville 49


Ottoville 65, Leipsic 19


Painesville Riverside 44, Lyndhurst Brush 36


Parma Hts. Holy Name 58, Parma 52


Paulding 63, Continental 61


Peebles 55, St. Patrick, Ky. 15


Philo 54, Crooksville 21


Piqua 55, Greenville 51


Plain City Jonathan Alder 44, Delaware Buckeye Valley 34


Poland Seminary 58, Cortland Lakeview 53


Portsmouth W. 43, Frankfort Adena 32


Racine Southern 57, Beaver Eastern 29


Ravenna SE 71, Youngs. Mooney 50


Richmond Hts. 44, Burton Berkshire 34


Richwood N. Union 71, Milford Center Fairbanks 43


Rittman 38, Atwater Waterloo 30


Rockford Parkway 70, Ansonia 65


Rocky River Lutheran W. 55, Brooklyn 25


Rocky River Magnificat 58, Richfield Revere 45


S. Charleston SE 57, Spring. NE 48


Shaker Hts. 61, Elyria 32


Sidney 55, Trotwood-Madison 37


Sidney Lehman 39, Arcanum 36


Solon 58, Brunswick 31


Spring. Kenton Ridge 82, Urbana 41


Springboro 60, Xenia 21


Stow-Munroe Falls 53, Cuyahoga Falls 25


Streetsboro 64, Rootstown 39


Struthers 60, Jefferson Area 44


Sugar Grove Berne Union 62, Grove City Christian 43


Sugarcreek Garaway 57, Tuscarawas Cent. Cath. 34


Thornville Sheridan 60, McConnelsville Morgan 42


Tipp City Bethel 36, Troy Christian 25


Tipp City Tippecanoe 38, Spring. NW 36


Tol. Christian 51, Swanton 49


Tol. Ottawa Hills 60, Tiffin Calvert 38


Tol. Scott 67, Day. Dunbar 38


Trenton Edgewood 52, Cin. Mt. Healthy 30


Twinsburg 40, Hudson 35


Uhrichsville Claymont 44, Byesville Meadowbrook 41


Vandalia Butler 38, Troy 35


Vincent Warren 50, Jackson 37


W. Chester Lakota W. 75, Cin. Colerain 23


W. Lafayette Ridgewood 74, Newcomerstown 27


W. Liberty-Salem 92, N. Lewisburg Triad 40


Wadsworth 78, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 35


Warren Champion 55, Girard 40


Warren Howland 51, Austintown Fitch 38


Warsaw River View 51, Marietta 35


Washington C.H. Miami Trace 39, Southeastern 33


Waterford 44, Beverly Ft. Frye 32


Waynesville 45, Milton-Union 42


Westerville S. 62, New Albany 45


Westlake 44, N. Ridgeville 22


Wheelersburg 67, McDermott Scioto NW 32


Willow Wood Symmes Valley 41, Crown City S. Gallia 27


Xenia Christian 43, Carlisle 35


Youngs. East 49, Ashtabula Lakeside 31


Zanesville 37, Dover 19


Zanesville Maysville 90, McArthur Vinton County 38


Zanesville Rosecrans 55, Coshocton 19








Huntington Invitational

Cabell Midland, W.Va. 47, Athens 30








Rotary Challenge

Paden City, W.Va. 45, Beallsville 37


Cleveland Cavaliers' Big Three overpowers San Antonio Spurs: DMan's Report, Game 46 (photos)

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The Cleveland Cavaliers secured their most impressive victory of the season Saturday, dominating the San Antonio Spurs, 117-103, at The Q. LeBron James scored 29.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the second consecutive night, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Big Three put on a show. LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined for 71 points, 17 rebounds, 16 assists, four steals and three blocks as the Cavs handled the San Antonio Spurs, 117-103, Saturday at The Q.

On Friday at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan, LeBron, Love and Irving combined for 77 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists in a 114-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Here is a capsule look at Saturday's game, which was televised by ESPN:

T-Lue's crew locked in: The Cavs (34-12 overall, 19-3 at home) have won four straight and are 4-1 under coach Tyronn Lue.

Cooled: The Spurs (39-8 overall, 14-8 on road) have dropped two of three since winning 13 in a row. They lost at Golden State, 120-90, Jan. 25.

Part of the deal: When the Spurs lose a regular-season game, and even when they lose certain playoff games, the opponent is not allowed to feel good for more than two seconds. That is because the Spurs are the NBA's model franchise and their coach, Gregg Popovich, is a basketball and cultural genius. Spurs believers always have excuses/explanations for their team's stumbles -- except when it gets bounced in the first round of the playoffs.

So, make no mistake, the Spurs' defeat Saturday was no biggie because:

*They don't care about W-L in the regular season. They use those games to experiment and tinker, especially on the road.

*Popovich simply wanted to lull the Cavs into a false sense of security in case the teams meet in the Finals.

*Legendary center Tim Duncan remained sidelined because of injury. Duncan's absence is glaring on defense.

*Standout big LaMarcus Aldridge was whistled for his third foul with 3:09 left in the first quarter, sending him to the bench for a while. Foul trouble cost him a big night; he scored 15 on 7-of-11 shooting in 26 minutes.

Now that that's out of the way: Recognizing that NBA titles are not won in January, the Cavs -- for one night, at least -- have every right to feel good about what they did to the Spurs.

They dominated.

They led, 37-30, after one quarter; 66-49 by halftime; and 92-76 after three.

They scored 117 and shot 54.9 percent from the field (45-of-82) against a team that entered No. 1 in the NBA in points allowed (90.6) and No. 2 in opposition field-goal percentage (42.7). They committed just 10 turnovers.

The Cavs need not attach a Duncan-sized asterisk to the offensive explosion. They performed so well for the majority of minutes that one player, even one as savvy and skilled as Duncan, would not have made enough of a difference.

The Cavs moved the ball expertly for stretches and repeatedly created open looks. They spread the floor as much as they have all season and forced the Spurs to chase. The Spurs' version of "no mas'' came in the form of a zone that LeBron helped pick apart in the third quarter.

Defense is important, no doubt. But the early returns on Lue's Cavs indicate that they will attempt to overwhelm teams offensively and let the defense sort itself out.

Points, points, and more points: The new-look, push-the-pace Cavs have scored 114+ in four straight games.

Saturday's game was the most impressive of the four, of course, because of the caliber of competition and the reality that the Cavs played the previous night on the road. Tired legs? What tired legs?

San Antonio had not played since crushing Houston, 130-99, Wednesday at home.

But wait: The Cavs aren't supposed to be able to hang with the Spurs. Or so goes the national talking point.

Since LeBron returned for his second stint in Cleveland beginning last season, the Cavs are 2-2 against San Antonio. Each team has won once on the other's floor. Three of the games have been decided by four points or fewer. Combined points in all games: Cavs 430, Spurs 419.

Magic number: The Cavs improved to 24-2 when scoring 100+.

Big Three the way it ought to be: LeBron, Love and Irving each scored 20+ for the second straight game -- the first two times they have done so in the same game this season.

Each shot better than 50 percent from the field. LeBron went 10-of-17 (29 points); Love 8-of-13 (21) and Irving 9-of-17 (21).

Love had plenty to do with it: All-Star-snub Love supplemented the points with 11 rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes.

He was almost unstoppable in the first half, scoring 18 on 7-of-10 shooting. He made jumpers and leaners from all over.

Yes, five games represent a small sample, but Love appears to have been revitalized under Lue. Love is averaging 7.2 field goals and 14.4 attempts, each up by almost 2.0 from season's averages prior.

King's English: LeBron finished with seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, two blocks and just two turnovers in 34 minutes.

He scored 16 in the third, dashing San Antonio's hopes of a comeback.

LeBron is on a roll, even for him. He has 20+ points and 7+ assists in six straight games and 16+ points and 5+ assists in 12 straight.

In his past three games covering 101 minutes, LeBron has 70 points, 24 assists and five turnovers.

Not a fair fight: King vs. Spurs backup point guard Patty Mills, isolation or otherwise.

Not a fair fight, part II: King vs. Manu Ginobili, iso or otherwise.

Because he can: Irving did what Uncle Drew does, causing havoc for the defense with his handle. He finished with six assists, two steals, one rebound and one turnover in 36 minutes.

He scored 10 within the first 6:30 of the fourth.

When Irving is scoring efficiently and not turning over the ball, he doesn't need eye-popping assist totals in order to orchestrate the offense at a high level. Time and again Saturday, he broke down his man off the dribble and, as a domino effect, messed up San Antonio's coverages elsewhere. Scoring opportunities for teammates were available at the moment or later in the shot clock because of it.

Ample support: Others in the James Gang to contribute double-digit points were Matthew Dellavedova (15), Tristan Thompson (10) and J.R. Smith (10).

Delly was pesky at both ends of the floor.

 

Meet LeBron James Burgundy; he'll wear whatever is put in front of him

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LeBron James said he never realized he was wearing the wrong uniform shorts against the San Antonio Spurs Saturday night.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Ron Burgundy reads whatever is on the TelePrompter.

LeBron James wears whichever uniform is placed in his locker, even if it's different from the one all of his teammates are wearing.

Call James Anchorman 3.

James wore different uniform shorts than the rest of the Cavaliers for the start of their 117-103 win over San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.

Cleveland was wearing its 1970s Hardwood Classics uniform - gold tops and shorts with wine, gold, and white paneling down the sided.

James put on the right jersey, but his gold shorts were from one of the team's more modern uniform sets, with no paneling.

And he said he never figured it out on his own that he was wearing the wrong shorts.

"I put the uniform on that was in my locker, like every game and they came to me and said I needed to change shorts during the timeout," James said. "So I never realized that. I seen two, a yellow top, a yellow bottom. I know we got a couple different yellow uniforms now, so we'll be checking from now on."

Twitter figured it out right away, of course. Among the immediate spotters was Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, who posted to his Twitter and Instagram accounts:

LeBron don't wanna wear the same shorts as everyone else? #oops

A photo posted by Jason Kipnis (@jasonkipnis22) on

Who finally told James he had to change?

Assistant equipment manager Mike Templin.

The swap occurred at 5:04 of the first quarter.

"Our equipment guy Mike came and said I need your shorts. It was like, 'what?'" James said. "And I realized when I looked at the side panels they wasn't matching the jersey."

Don't worry, LeBron. Your new coach, Tyronn Lue, never figured it out, either.

"(This) was my first time hearing about it," Lue said. "He had on the wrong color shorts? I didn't even see it."

Stay classy, Cleveland.

LeBron James' new role on display early and Cleveland Cavaliers adjust defense to slow Tony Parker: Fedor's five observations

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When Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue took over for David Blatt, he had a clear snapshot of what he wanted the Cavaliers to look like.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue took over for David Blatt, he had a clear snapshot of what he wanted the Cavaliers to look like.

Saturday's 117-103 bashing of the San Antonio Spurs showed Lue's handiwork.

"I think our team responded well, playing fast, getting easy shots, Kyrie (Irving) and LeBron (James) attacking early, and then Kevin (Love) in the low post and making jump shots. I thought tonight was a picture-perfect way of how we want to play. The guys came out and executed it."

The up-tempo Cavaliers ran past, and in one case, right through the league's No. 1 defense, which was helpless throughout the night.

As the Cavaliers flaunted their muscles, the proud Spurs were searching for answers, even switching to a zone defense, hoping to slow the pace.

But the new-look offense, averaging 115 points during the current four-game winning streak, found success throughout, finishing with the second-highest point total against the Spurs this season while shooting 54.9 percent from the field. 

Cleveland has scored at least 114 points in four consecutive contests, the first time since December 15-19, 1992. 

Entering the night 0-5 against San Antonio, Golden State and Chicago -- a team James singled out when talking about their stiffest competition -- the Cavs needed something to boost their confidence.

They grabbed a signature win, one that led to Lue being showered with applause en route to the his postgame press conference.

"It was a good win for us, just for us going forward," Lue admitted, shelving the one-of-82 chatter. "Knowing that we have a chance to beat a great team like the San Antonio Spurs just gives us confidence going forward. We can always look back at this game and say, 'Listen, we beat the Spurs.' Now we've got to continue to keep getting better and keep moving on."

Here are five observations:

Taking turns - Hours before tipoff, with Tim Duncan missing another game because of knee soreness, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich was uneasy about his defense.

"He's our base from which everything else emanates and everybody else knows how to operate based on where he is and what he does," Popovich said. "That's my biggest concern in the game is him not being there for everybody to move around because he's the center of what goes on defensively."

Those worries were confirmed early.

Recognizing Duncan's absence, the Cavaliers attacked inside, using Love as the initial offensive weapon. He scored 14 points, topping his total from the first game against San Antonio, on 5-of-7 from the field in the first 10 minutes

"It was by design," Lue said of Love's fast start. "Kevin had it going early, so we wanted to keep featuring Kevin."

It's the second straight game that Love has been the first quarter offensive focal point, scoring 10 in the first during Friday's win against the Detroit Pistons. This time, he helped the Cavaliers take an early 37-30 lead.

"Ever since I was young I was one of the big guys," Love said. "At my position I'm not the tallest guy in the world but I've always played inside/out. When I get to the free-throw line or get those post touches it helps me have continuity and feel a little bit of a flow and involved in the offense. That definitely helps me and makes the hoop bigger in a lot of ways just getting those easy touches."

Love tailed off following his blistering first quarter, finishing with 21 points on 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three point range to go with 11 rebounds. But did plenty of work early, looking more comfortable than ever.

"Yeah, yeah, he's played some good ball over the last year and a half that we've had him," James said of Love's recent stretch with three straight 20-plus scoring nights. "I think right now he's finally getting comfortable in his role. I think coach Lue has done a great job clearing the air with what he expects out of all of us, including Kev, and he's a big focal point of our team. When he's playing locked in like this, it's great for us."

The second quarter was a balanced effort, with eight players scoring a least one basket.

Then it was James' turn to carry the offense. Following a quiet scoring first half, James erupted for 16 points on 6-of-9 from the field as he played all 12 minutes of the third quarter and helped the Cavs surge ahead, 92-76.

With James resting to begin the fourth quarter, it was Irving's turn to take over.

Shades of his fourth quarter early this year against Washington and his second half last season against San Antonio, Irving sliced through the defense with his dribbling wizardry before finishing patented circus shots at the rim.

Irving scored 10 points in the quarter, including the first six, helping Cleveland keep its grip.

That's the formula for the Cavs to reach their immense potential. One night after scoring 77 points, Cleveland's Big Three combined to score 71.

"Kevin carried us in the first half and LeBron and Kyrie carried us in the second half," Lue said. "The Big 3 came through for us. It was great."

LeBron the facilitator - Lue has delivered specific messages to each one of his players, letting them know what he wants.

He has told Irving to attack, feeling the talented point guard wasn't playing with the aggressiveness that helped him become one of the game's best at the position.

For James, Lue's message is a bit different.

"I want the ball in LeBron's hands to facilitate and create for other guys because he's 6-foot-8 and he's a great passer," Lue said. "I think with LeBron's passing ability we're able to do a lot of things."

James has responded.

He had five of his team-high seven assists in the first quarter, with three leading to Love baskets.

"I still don't know how to answer it," Love said when asked again how to define his role. "We're all just out there playing and making good reads and being good basketball players. It starts with Bron. As far as basketball IQ goes I don't think there's anybody better, nobody has a better basketball IQ than him. Kryie is out there playing. He seems to be finding his way after coming off that injury. We have guys who play off them. I can't tell you enough how fun they make the game and when we play like that it just opens up everything for us."

Prior to Lue taking over as head coach, James was averaging 6.2 assists, his lowest mark since the 2006-07 season.

In the five games since Lue has asked James to facilitate, hoping to create more ball movement, James is averaging 8.4 assists.

"We're a team that always wants to get great shots," James said. "We don't take bad shots as a team, I think sometimes when we result into the one on one game because we have guys that can iso. But, you know, coach gets on us in film sessions about timing and scoring time, want fast shots. We want to score, get good offense, if we don't have something early in our transition game. He put the stat on the board a couple games ago, you know, five-plus passes we shoot 58 percent from the three-point line and it goes down with less passes. One pass is not very good, so we've always been conscious about it but he puts it in even more of an emphasis."

Defensive adjustment - In the first meeting between the two teams, the Cavs had no answer for Tony Parker, who journeyed into the paint frequently, scoring 24 points on 11-of-18 shooting.

The game before that, he scored 31 points on 15-of-23 from the field.

Instead of sticking with the previous plan, letting Parker become a nuisance again, Lue and his defensive coordinator, Mike Longabardi, made a change.

"We went to the 'show.' We showed with David West and we showed (LaMarcus) Aldridge, just to make sure Tony couldn't get downhill," Lue said. "Last game, he took advantage of our drops and our ICEs and Tony went one-on-one with our bigs a lot the whole night. Coming into this night we said we wanted to show and try to make him veer out and play one-on-one against our guards. It was effective for us tonight."

There are numerous strategies used to defend the pick-and-roll. ICE has become one of the most common in the NBA, as James or other players are often heard shouting the term, helping the on-ball defender with the plan.

ICE means they want the on-ball defender to force the ball handler away from the screen. In a way, it's defending the ball handler sideways. That's what the Cavs did the first time against Parker and he ripped the D to shreds.

With the showing strategy, one that the Cavs used a lot before acquiring Timofey Mozgov, Parker scored 13 points on 5-of-10 from the field, taking a number of contested shots in the paint.

"I think just having our brothers' back and having Kyrie's back," Love said of defensive change. "We did change some stuff up but really it was little things that we did different than we did in San Antonio last month. We tried to force him into tough shots, throw guys at him and have other guys make plays."

The defense was far from great. San Antonio shot 40-of-81 (49.4 percent) from the field and became the third team in the last four games to reach the century mark against a unit that at one-time suffocated foes.

But that end of the floor is also a work in progress, as the team is breaking in a new defensive voice.

"Well, Coach Lue, he wants us to defend but he's not the voice of our defense," James said. "Coach Longo (Mike Longabardi), he's our defensive coordinator. He gives us the game plan. Coach Lue definitely makes his inputs throughout the course of the game, if he wants to change on a game-to-game basis or throughout the game, but our gameplan comes from our defensive coordinator and whatever he wants to do, we're able to learn on the fly."

Like Lue, Longabardi earned his reputation working with Doc Rivers.

"I have none besides seeing him on the sideline and barking out calls against me," James said of his familiarity with the new coach. "This is our third game working together. He's very detailed and we're happy to have him."

Lesson learned - Tristan Thompson, who finished with 10 points and seven rebounds, was asked Friday in Detroit what he took from the first meeting against the Spurs, a preview of sorts.

He didn't even hesitate when giving an answer.

"Value every possession," he said. "They're a team that counter your mistakes. We have to take care of the ball and we have to push the tempo and continue to play the style of basketball we want to play."

In the Jan. 14 loss, the Cavs committed 18 miscues, which turned into 19 points the other way.

On Saturday, that number dropped to 10, with no player having more than two.

"They weren't able to get out in transition and get easy baskets and easy threes," Lue said. "I thought taking care of the ball and having some kind of organization on the break. We want to push it early and attack the basket, but then we also want to be organized if we don't have that. I thought the team did a great job of doing that."

That's often a tough balance for fast-paced teams.

They go so quick and attempt to push the ball ahead before the defense can get set that it leads to mistakes. The Warriors and Thunder are near the top of the NBA in pace, but they also average 15 turnovers per game.

It appears, at least early in this changeover, that the Cavs have found the right harmony.

"It's just the conscious effort of doing what coach Lue and the coaching staff want us to do," James said. "They want some tempo and get up the floor and the best thing about it, we're not turning the ball over while we're doing it. We've been very conscious about getting up the floor if we've gotten something early, but if not then starting to run our stuff. It's been good."

Since the adjustment, the Cavs are averaging 10.4 turnovers.

Hustle and muscle - Whether it was dribble penetration or snappy ball movement, the Cavs had no trouble getting the ball inside, outscoring San Antonio in the paint, 52-46.

The Cavs also won the hustle categories, beating the Spurs to 50-50 balls or ripping rebounds away from their grasp. The Cavs finished with more second chance points (14-7), rebounds (43-32), blocks (4-2) and steals (4-2).

"On the boards, Tristan was great and he murdered us like he always seems to do," Popovich said. "A combination of the boards and poor communication on defense was our demise early."

Thompson's numbers don't tell the entire story, as he drew two of the three first quarter fouls against Aldridge battling for rebounding position. 


LeBron James told us everything we needed to know about what happened with the Cavaliers, Tyronn Lue, and David Blatt

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LeBron James couldn't stop talking about Tyronn Lue Saturday night. The point: the Cavs are listening to their new coach in a way they never did with the old one, David Blatt.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Want to know how LeBron James really feels about Tyronn Lue, and David Blatt, and why the Cavaliers probably needed to make the move they did last week?

James told you everything you needed to know Saturday night, after the Cavs pulled off their best win this season, a 117-103 romp over San Antonio.

To get the full picture, you're going to need some patience. You're going to have to read through James' answers to some questions.

But, you'll understand when it's over. It's all there...

LeBron, on the Cavs using a quicker pace to their advantage against a slower Spurs team:

"It's just the conscious effort of doing what coach Lue and the coaching staff want us to do. They want some tempo."

LeBron, on whether Cleveland played its best game against the Spurs:

"We pushed the tempo offensively and we executed everything the coaching staff wanted us to do."

LeBron, on Kevin Love arguably playing his best basketball since joining the Cavs:

"I think coach Lue has done a great job clearing the air what he expect out of all of us, including Kev, and he's a big focal point of our team."

LeBron, on whether the Cavs' quicker offensive pace leads to better shots, not just more shots:

"You know, coach gets on us in film sessions about timing and scoring time, (we) want fast shots. We want to score, get good offense, if we don't have something early in our transition game."

LeBron, on the importance of beating the Spurs after starting the year 0-5 against them, Golden State, and Chicago:

"Tonight was what, our fourth game, fifth game maybe with our new coach? And we want to continue to emphasize what he wants us to do and we want to continue to hammer home some of the things and the keys for us to get better."

LeBron, on if the Cavs' defense changed last week:

"Well, Coach Lue, he wants us to defend but he's not the voice of our defense. Coach Longo (Mike Longabardi), he's our defensive coordinator. He gives us the game plan. Coach Lue definitely makes his inputs throughout the course of the game, if he wants to change on a game-to-game basis or throughout the game."

LeBron, on if, you guessed it, Lue has indeed reached the Cavs in one week as coach:

"For us, Coach Lue is the captain. He's the captain of the ship. We got to do whatever it takes, do whatever he barks out. And to see it coming to fruition out on the court definitely helps for sure, but it all starts with us. He can only put us in position but we got to go out and execute and it's great to have a leader like Coach and we go out and execute it offensively and defensively."

Ok, so...

James was asked 11 questions by reporters Saturday night. Two of them were about James wearing the wrong shorts. Throw those questions out.

One question was specifically about Longabardi, who joined Lue's staff last week.

The other eight questions ... James managed to work Lue into his answer every time (there was an eighth reference to Lue in an answer about Tristan Thompson not shared above).

Has to be some sort of record.

If I were going to play the role of rhetorical expert here, I'd say James' message is he and the players are listening and responding to Lue, who's laying down some laws. (Read what James said about Love, again)

What's implied, then, is the same things weren't happening with Blatt as coach.

Last week was an emotional one for the Cavs and for James. He took quite a bit of heat for Blatt's firing (he was let go Jan. 22), standing accused of undermining a coach who went 83-40 and reached the NBA Finals in his only full season.

Perhaps, then, James is stressing the players' obedience to Lue as a means of combating that narrative label.

And while there are occasional examples through their 18 months together where James did defend or speak well of Blatt, there's nothing in the file like this.

Let's set aside the debate over whether James was justified in never trusting Blatt or if Blatt got a fair shake in Cleveland, and accept that there is a clear difference in attitude toward the Cavs' head coach from then to now.

Lue is in his honeymoon phase with five games under his belt - but he's won four of them, and the latest victory was a doozy. We'll see how James reacts when Lue makes a mistake, or the Cavs lose a couple in a row.

It's going to happen.

But James never, ever spoke of Blatt the way he talked about Lue Saturday night.

And if what he was saying is true - that one of the deepest, most talented, and expensive rosters in the league with very clear championship expectations is listening to and embracing the direction of its new coach - then the Cavs probably had to fire Blatt.

What time, which channel is the Ohio State basketball vs. No. 8 Maryland game on? (preview)

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The Buckeyes host the Terrapins on Sunday at Value City Arena.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State basketball team hosts Maryland on Sunday.

Who: No. 8 Maryland Terrapins (18-3, 7-2 Big Ten) at Ohio State Buckeyes (14-8, 6-3)

When: Sunday, 1 p.m.

Where: Value City Arena

TV: CBS, with Ian Eagle and Clark Kellogg on the call

Maryland projected starters: G Melo Trimble (Soph., 6-3, 14.3 ppg); G Rasheed Sulaimon (Sr., 6-4, 10.6 ppg); F Jake Layman (Sr., 6-9, 10.7 ppg); F Robert Carter (Jr., 6-9, 13.4 ppg); C Diamond Stone (Fr., 6-11, 13 ppg)

Ohio State projected starters: G A.J. Harris (Fr., 5-9, 2.9 ppg); F Jae'Sean Tate (Soph., 6-4, 11 ppg); F Marc Loving (Jr., 6-7, 13.5 ppg); F Keita Bates-Diop (Soph., 6-7, 12 ppg); C Daniel Giddens (Fr., 6-11, 4.2 ppg)

Breaking down the Terrapins: Maryland is coming off a 74-68 win over No. 3 Iowa on Thursday. That win was the Terps first over a ranked opponent this season ... Maryland beat Ohio State 100-65 in College Park, Md., on Jan. 16 ... A key for Ohio State is stopping Maryland guard Rasheed Sulaimon. When he scores double-figures, Maryland is 10-1 this season. Sulaimon had a season-high 22 points in the win over Ohio State ... Maryland has five players averaging better than 10 points per game in Big Ten play. Freshman center Diamond Stone is averaging a team-leading 15.3 ppg in conference play ... Maryland is top five in the Big Ten in field goal, 3-point field goal and free throw shooting percentage ... Sophomore guard Melo Trimble (14.3 ppg, 5.5 apg) is a National Player of the Year candidate ... The Terps are No. 5 in the Big Ten in scoring offense (77.3 points per game), and second in field goal percentage (50 percent) ... Maryland is fourth in the Big Ten in scoring defense (64.3 ppg allowed), and fourth in field goal percentage defense (40.5 percent) ... Maryland is ranked No. 9 in Ken Pomeroy's efficiency ratings, and No. 6 in the RPI.

Can Ohio State avoid embarrassment this time against Maryland?

Breaking down the Buckeyes: Ohio State is coming off a 68-63 overtime win at Illinois on Thursday. That made two straight wins for the Buckeyes and snapped a three-game road losing streak ... The loss to Maryland on Jan. 16 was Ohio State's worst under Thad Matta ... Sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop is averaging 18.5 ppg over the last two games, while junior forward Jae'Sean Tate is averaging 13.4 ppg over the last five ... Junior forward Marc Loving leads the Buckeyes with 12.8 ppg in Big Ten play ... A win over Maryland would give Ohio State its second win over a top 25 RPI team ... Ohio State is 10th in the Big Ten in scoring offense (71.1 ppg), and No. 9 in field goal percentage (44.6 percent) ... The Buckeyes are sixth in the Big Ten in scoring defense (65.8 ppg allowed), and third in the Big Ten in field goal percentage defense (38.8 percent) ... Ohio State shot 37 percent against Maryland in the first meeting, the Buckeyes second-worst effort of the season ... Ohio State is 65th in the KenPom ratings, and 75th in the RPI.

Bill's prediction: Maryland 71, Ohio State 61

From the last game: Ohio State holds off Illinois for 68-63 overtime

* What will Matta do with his lineups against Maryland?

Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and Gary Barnidge at the 2016 Pro Bowl: Crowquill

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Joe Thomas, Alex Mack and Gary Barnidge will represent the Cleveland Browns at the 2016 Pro Bowl: Crowquill

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns have three players who will participate in this year's Pro Bowl. Joe Thomas and Gary Barnidge are on Team Jerry Rice while Alex Mack is on Team Michael Irvin. Give them a hand for being chosen and for actually showing up to play in the game.

These days, a player being selected does not guarantee actually playing in the game. Because it is played before the Super Bowl, Pro Bowlers on the Super Bowl teams don't participate for obvious reasons. Also, injured players don't participate. But there are more and more players selected that fall into another category -- those who just don't feel like playing.

This lack of participation leads to players of lesser credentials serving as alternates and arguably makes for less of a game.

Crowquill, by Plain Dealer artist Ted Crow, appears three times a week on cleveland.com.

Novak Djokovic really can become the all-time majors champion, thanks to Roger Federer

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What once seemed like crazy-talk is now beginning to look very possible: Novak Djokovic could pass Roger Federer as the all-time leader in major championships.

Australian Open: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic beats Andy Murray

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Top-ranked Djokovic Novak maintained his perfect streak in six Australian Open finals with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory on Sunday night.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Novak Djokovic was still walking around Melbourne Park with his trophy, celebrating his record sixth Australian title, when five-time runner-up Andy Murray was heading for the airport in a rush to reunite with his pregnant wife.

Top-ranked Djokovic maintained his perfect streak in six Australian Open finals with a 6-1, 7-5, 7-6 (3) victory on Sunday night, equaling Roy Emerson's record for Australian titles. Murray continued his unwanted streak, too, slumping to 0-5 in championship deciders Down Under.

"I never experienced this much crowd and this much love. I've had the fortune to win this trophy now for six times, but I never experienced such support," said Djokovic, acknowledging the hundreds of Serbians who chanted, sang and waved their red, white and blue flags as he conducted post-match interviews. "I don't take anything for granted, even though I won last four out of five Grand Slams, played five finals. It's phenomenal."

Djokovic reflected on a life-changing span of his life in which he was married, became a father and dominated tennis -- the only match he has lost in the last five majors was the final of the French Open, which remains the only Grand Slam title missing from his collection of 11. After equaling Roy Emerson's record for most Australian titles, his next objective is a first triumph in Paris.

"No doubt that I'm playing the best tennis of my life in the last 15 months," he said. "Everything is going well privately, as well, so I feel like I'm at the point in my life where everything is working in harmony. I'll try to keep it that way."

After getting on his hands and knees and kissing the court at Rod Laver Arena, and going to the stands to hug Boris Becker, his coach since 2014, Djokovic paid tribute to Murray in his post-match speech.

"You're a great champion, great friend, a great person who is very professional and committed to this sport," he said. "So I'm sure in the future you'll have more opportunities to fight for this trophy."

As a father himself, he didn't want to delay Murray's departure.

The 28-year-old Scotsman had his share of distractions in Australia. His wife, Kim, is due to have their first child in February and remained in in Britain. Kim's father, Nigel Sears, traveled to Australia as coach for Ana Ivanovic, but became ill and had to be rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance while Murray was on court in his third-round match. After a night in hospital, Nigel Sears was well enough to return home, which meant Murray could stay in Australia and try to refocus on winning the title.

"It's been a tough few weeks for me away from the court," Murray said, before turning his attention to his wife.

"You've been a legend the last two weeks. Thank you so much for all your support," he said, choking back tears and waving as he walked away from the microphone following his post-match speech. "I'll be on the next flight home."

A little more than a half-hour later, at 11:15 p.m. local time, Murray said he was aiming for a 1 a.m. flight.

"I've been held on flights for it feels like five days," he said. "The first one out of here, I'm leaving.

"It's been hard, regardless of today's result. I'm proud I got into this position -- just quite looking forward to get home now."

While Djokovic joined Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg at No. 5 on the all-time list for most majors, Murray became only the second man to lose five finals at one major -- Ivan Lendl lost five and won three U.S. Open finals in the 1980s.

Djokovic had won 10 of his previous 11 matches against Murray and was 21-9 in their career meetings -- including four finals at the Australian Open.

Again, he was just too good.

Djokovic broke Murray twice in a 30-minute opening set, and twice again in the second and once in the third, and only had his serve broken twice.

Djokovic took a 6-1 lead in the tiebreaker, setting up five championship points, and finished if off in 2 hours, 53 minutes, with an ace on his third match point.

While he extended his perfect streak to six in Australian finals, Serena Williams' streak of 6-0 in Melbourne Park deciders ended in an upset loss to Angelique Kerber on Saturday night. Kerber went for a dip in the Yarra River on Sunday morning after a night of celebrations.

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