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Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls: Live chat and updates

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Get the latest updates and analysis on the Cleveland Cavaliers game against the Chicago Bulls.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers won the first game of the second half, cruising past the Chicago Bulls, 106-95. 

LeBron James scored 25 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out nine assists. Kyrie Irving added 19 points. 

The Cavs (39-14) will travel to Oklahoma City for a Sunday matchup against the Thunder. 

Scoring Summary:

End of 3rd Quarter - Cavs lead Bulls, 78-64. LeBron James leads the way with 19 points, eight assists and seven rebounds. Tristan Thompson has added 14 points. Chicago is led by Derrick Rose, who has 12 points. 

End of 2nd Quarter - Cavs lead Bulls, 48-42. Tristan Thompson leads the way for the Cavs with 12 points. LeBron James has added 10 points. Kevin Love is near a double-double, with eight points and 11 rebounds. Chicago's Derrick Rose leads all scorers with 18 points. 

End of 1st Quarter - Cavs lead Bulls, 26-19. LeBron James leads the way with eight points. Kevin Love has added five points and eight rebounds. The Bulls are led by Derrick Rose, who has eight points. 


Anderson Varejao second to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in games played on LeBron James teams (teammate database)

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Anderson Varejao is second only to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in games played as a teammate of LeBron James. See statistics for James teammates over the years.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Anderson Varejao is second only to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in games played as a teammate of LeBron James.

Varejao, traded Thursday by the Cleveland Cavaliers, played 445 games as a teammate of James over eight seasons from 2004-05 to 2009-10, and then from the 2014-15 season until Wednesday.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas played 589 games with James in Cleveland and Miami.

Sasha Pavlovic, who was in Cleveland from 2004-05 to 2008-09, is third at 302 games.

The database below contains all of James' teammates until the beginning of this season, and their stats through last season. New teammates this season are Richard Jefferson, Jared Cunningham and Sasha Kaun.


LeBron James' teammates ranked

Statistics through the 2014-15 season.

Click here to load this Caspio Online Database.

Gallery preview

What will Channing Frye's role be with Cleveland Cavaliers? (video)

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The Cleveland Cavaliers made one move ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, acquiring Channing Frye in a three-team deal for Anderson Varejao, Jared Cunningham and a 2018 protected first-round pick. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers made a move ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, acquiring Channing Frye in a three-team deal for Anderson Varejao, Jared Cunningham and a 2018 protected first-round pick.

In a release from the Cavaliers, General Manager David Griffin pointed to Frye's length, shooting ability and playoff experience as reasons for the pickup.

But minutes have been hard to come for the veterans at the back end of the rotation so what role will Frye have? Whose minutes will he cut into?

Chris Haynes and I discussed those issues.

Watch the video above. 

Johnny Manziel in good spirits at Mike Evans' wedding, rapping and mugging for cameras

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Johnny Manziel rapped and posed for photos at the wedding of former Texas A&M teammate Mike Evans. He also gave one of the best speeches, according to Evans.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel, who's facing possible domestic violence charges in Dallas, was back to his rapping, fun-loving self over the weekend.

A groomsman at the wedding of former Texas A&M teammate Mike Evans Saturday in Houston, the Browns quarterback was videotaped rapping friend Drake's "Back-to-Back'' with former A&M teammate Christine Michael, a running back for the Seahawks.

Manziel was holding a stemmed glass and appeared to be in good spirits even as he awaits possible charges for assault or dating violence.

"He seemed good,'' Evans told TMZ. "I was just happy he's there.''

Pressed on Manziel's legal trouble, Evans said, "I got his back. That's all you need to know.''

As for whether or not Manziel was drinking at the reception, Evans said, "it's none of my business.''

He did allow that Manziel "gave one of the best speeches'' at the reception.

As for his buddy's future, Evans said, "I hope he gets another shot. He's an amazing talent.''

The wedding was the second time Manziel has been seen out publicly since his alleged altercation with ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley on Jan. 30. He also attended the Mavs-Heat game in Dallas Feb. 3.

The Browns will waive Manziel as soon as the new league year opens on March 9, a source told cleveland.com. In the meantime, top offensive assistant Pep Hamilton declined to comment on Manziel during his introductory press conference Thursday.

"That's something that coach (Hue Jackson) and (head of football operations) Sashi Brown, they've already addressed,'' Hamilton said. "Above my pay grade."

Earlier in his press conference, he didn't mention Manziel when asked about the quarterbacks.

"I feel good about Josh (McCown),'' he said. "I feel good about Austin (Davis). I feel good about all the guys that we have on the roster currently, and I'm excited to work with those guys."

In addition to being under investigation by Dallas police, Manziel is under investigation by the NFL under its personal conduct policy. He could face a lengthy suspension in addition to possible jail time if convicted of felonious assault.

Crowley's lawyer, Kathy Kinser, told NBC5 in Dallas that Manziel hit Crowley so hard that he punctured her eardrum.

"They expect (it) to heal but it'll take a while,'' she said.

Related: Manziel under investigation by Dallas police

Manziel has been ordered by a Tarrant County judge in Texas to stay away from Crowley for two years. In the affivadit, Crowley wrote that Manziel beat her, kidnapped her and threatened to kill himself and her.

Manziel's agent, Erik Burkhardt dropped him Feb. 5 and Manziel's father, Paul, told the Dallas Morning News that day that he feared his son was suicidal and that "I truly believe if they can't get him help, he won't live to see his 24th birthday.''

He also said his son twice refused rehab that week.

Manziel didn't appear in any distress at Evans' wedding reception.

Fifteen Cleveland sports fan favorites, including Anderson Varejao, who were traded away (poll)

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From Paul Warfield to Anderson Varejao, here are 15 Cleveland sports fan favorites who were dealt via trade.

5 things that stood out from David Griffin's post-trade press conference

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Cleveland Cavaliers GM David Griffin addressed the media Thursday afternoon and touched on moving a fan favorite and adding another floor spacer.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Cleveland Cavaliers general manager David Griffin addressed the media following the conclusion of trade season and touched on moving a fan favorite and adding another floor spacer.

Here are five things that stood out from Griffin's presser.

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1. Griffin said it was one of his most difficult phone calls to inform Anderson Varejao that he was being traded after spending all 12 years of his career as a member of the Cavaliers.

2. Griffin said adding Channing Frye "furthers the cause" in trying to bring home an NBA championship. Said he's an experienced player who hits big shots.

3. Shipping out Varejao and Jared Cunningham opened up an additional roster spot. With two openings, Griffin said they could pursue a buyout player.

4. Griffin believes the move adds versatility to the roster. Frye is another stretch-four, but defends better than Kevin Love. Griffin is very comfortable with what they accomplished at the deadline.

5. Griffin said Frye agreed to sign with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2014, but when LeBron James announced he was returning home, there was not enough cap space left.

Ray Horton to rush Paul Kruger, play Danny Shelton more, dust off Barkevious Mingo

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Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton will try to get the most out of all the big-name players that underachieved in 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Paul Kruger walked out the door frustrated with his role, Danny Shelton grappled with coming off the field so much, and Barkevious Mingo mostly bit his tongue but wondered if he might not be better off elsewhere.

All three Browns -- and others -- will have a chance to play to their strengths in 2016, according to defensive coordinator Ray Horton.

Horton has studied film of the 2015 Browns and is already devising ways to get the most out of his players. What he saw was a group of big-name, big-money players who underachieved.

The Browns finished 27th in total defense, 30th against the run and 28th with 29 sacks,

"If you give me the names that you mentioned, I'll be ready to go,'' he said during his introductory press conference Thursday.

Here was Horton's take on some of the key players:

1. Kruger will go forward instead of backward

Kruger tumbled from 11 sacks in 2014 to 2.5 last season. At season's end, he lamented his role, especially dropping back in coverage. In addition, he didn't have a premier pass-rusher on the other side to take some attention away.  

"We have to help him,'' said Horton. "We have to be able to give him a Batman to his Robin or a Robin to his Batman, whoever he wants to be in the equation. We have to give him help on the other side. Obviously in this league, you can't just rush. You can't be one-dimensional. You can't rush all the time. You've got to drop. You've got to do different things. Whether we rush eight guys or whether we rush three, you have to do what's called on the defense. We are going to give him opportunities. There is no question about it.''

Under Horton in 2013, Kruger had only 4.5 sacks. But when he gets back to town in April, Horton will sit down with Kruger and what can be done better in 2016.

"He's one of our elite players who has to play better for us,'' said Horton. "We will give him every opportunity to like the defense, to rush. He is going to rush so I want him to stay in and rush. He won't be going out. I want him to stay in and rush. He will get his opportunities."

2. Shelton will be the three-down player the Browns drafted

Shelton admitted that his biggest adjustment to the NFL was standing on the sidelines on third down. That will change under Horton, who studied Shelton at Washington.

"Danny wasn't the first person that contacted me but the first player that came in,'' said Horton. "Danny can be a unique player for us. He's really, really bright, intelligent, very outgoing. He wants to do well. He wants to succeed. He wants to be part of a championship defense. We are going to try to give him every opportunity to do that.''

That means keeping him on the field on passing downs, which he didn't do much last season. For as high a motor guy as Shelton, it hurt his productivity -- and spirit.

Related: Browns hire Ray Horton

"I don't want him to always have to come off the field," Horton said. "I want him to be able to stay on the field as much as we want him on the field. I just talked to him. I met him. I said, 'I'm looking forward to working with you on April 4.' He's going to be a big part of our plans. Obviously, he was our No. 1 draft pick last year, and we want to utilize his talent."

3. Barkevious Mingo will have something to do

Mingo played sparingly in 2015, and the Browns contemplated trading him in November. Horton liked Mingo as the sixth pick in the 2013 draft, but his sack production disappeared after recording one in each of his first three games. Mingo had only two in his final 12 games that season, a total of two in 2014 when he was used as a coverage 'backer, and a none in 2015.

That's four sacks in last 43 games. Can he still still make an impact off the edge?

"I hope so,'' said Horton. "He's a tall, lean, fast young man. We have to utilize that. Now, what do we have on the table for him? Some things different than it's been in the past. Hopefully, he will come in and say, 'I embrace what you are trying to do with me, and I'll do whatever you ask me to do.' We have to do something to utilize his God-given ability."

But he made no promises it will be rushing off the edge, which is what he was drafted to be.

"I see him hopefully as a play-making member of our defense,'' he said. "Where he will line up, I don't know yet. It depends on what he can handle for us."

5. Joe Haden will be valued

Haden's season was cut short by a concussion, but in the early going, he felt disrespected by coach Mike Pettine regarding Haden's decision not to play in San Diego with a broken finger. Pettine apologized for his comments, but the damage was done.

Horton plans to change the vibe. A former defensive back, he coached Haden to a Pro Bowl season in 2013 and plans to get the best out of him in 2016.

"Joe will be a vital part,'' he said. "He's one of our elite players who has to play better. I told him that. I said, 'Are you ready to go?' He said, 'Yes sir.' And I said, 'I'll see you on April 4.' I love Joe's athletic ability. I love his leadership ability. As long as he is healthy, he'll be on the field starting for us. I expect good things from Joe Haden."

6. Justin Gilbert will be asked to step up

Horton will demand that Gilbert live up to being the eighth pick in 2014. Will he be able to coax out of him what Pettine and former defensive coordinator Jim O'Neil couldn't?

"I remember he picked a pass off of (Colts quarterback) Andrew Luck and returned it for a touchdown,'' said Horton. "That's what I want from him. I want him to use his God-given ability to play football at a high level. That's what I want from Justin Gilbert."

7. Linebacker Chris Kirksey will be challenged to become elite

"Whether you're a starter who has been in the league for a while who has a Super Bowl ring or whether you are a young free agent, we need you guys to get better,'' Horton said. "Chris is one of those guys. He's going to be probably a starter for us. We'll continue to show them film of other players on other teams. One of the things that we are going to try to impart with our players is 'This is how champions do it.' ... There is a way on the field and off the field to do things."

LeBron James and the Cavaliers' Jedi mind trick to contend: Joe Vardon's instant analysis

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LeBron James scored 25 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in the Cavaliers' victory over Chicago on Feb. 18.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - LeBron James told you Wednesday what would happen at the trade deadline.

OK, not in so many words. He didn't offer that the Cavs would deal away an aging fan favorite, and one of his longest-tenured teammates in Anderson Varejao so they could get Channing Frye, a 32-year-old 7-footer to shoot some 3s and play some D off the bench.

What James hinted at was the Cavs' fortunes would be made by the good players already on the roster, and not by any deal struck by general manager David Griffin.

"It's all about the mental side for our team," James said. "The physical is going to take care of itself, but mentally if we engage, we can be very, very good and when we're not engaged, we can lose a lot of ballgames."

Exhibit A: the Cavs' 106-95 win over Chicago Thursday in their first game after the All-Star break. The Bulls were missing three key players, including All-Star Jimmy Butler, and because of some mental lapses the Cavs only led by six at halftime.

Then talent - and focus? - took over.

James finished with a team high 25 points and nine assists to go with nine rebounds in 35 minutes. He shot 11-of-19 from the field, and with his first two baskets early in the first quarter passed Moses Malone (9,435 field goals) for 19th in NBA history in buckets.

Kevin Love added 15 points and 15 rebounds. Kyrie Irving contributed 19 points, but was 6-of-18 from the field. Cleveland's won four straight and beat the Bulls for the first time in three tries this season.

"I said I think the break came at the wrong time for us because we were starting to play some really good basketball," James said. "Our star point guard was getting in a very good rhythm. I hate actually that we had to have the break, a week off."

These remaining 29 games are basically one, long battle for the Cavs against themselves. Can they meld into the kind of team that can stand up to the Warriors or Spurs in June? Can they even make it that far?

Those are the questions they will prepare themselves to answer over the next two months. Bringing in Frye makes the Cavs marginally better. Losing Varejao hurts on a personal level.

But the true test will be how good James and Irving and Love can make this team together. They looked the part at times Thursday against a depleted Bulls team.

No matter the opponent, the Cavs need those stretches of brilliance to increase as the playoffs approach.


Jordan Mitchell, elite 2019 Ohio SF, gets offer from Buckeyes: Ohio State basketball recruiting

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Ohio State is the first offer for the Columbus-area prospect.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thad Matta's Ohio State roster is starting to get more of an Ohio feel. The next four players already committed to the Buckeyes over the next three recruiting classes are from homegrown products.

The Buckeyes would like to keep that streak going, so they got in early on one of the top in-state prospects for 2019.

Ohio State offered Gahanna Lincoln small forward Jordan Mitchell on Thursday. Mitchell announced the news on his Twitter account, stating the offer from the Buckeyes was his first. There will be more.

Mitchell isn't ranked by any major recruiting services yet because, you know, he's not even done his freshman season of basketball. But when those rankings start to accompany his name, expect them to be high. The 6-foot-6 wing is likely to be ranked among the best players in the country, let alone in Ohio.

According to 270Hoops.com, which is on top of high school basketball happenings in the Columbus area, Mitchell is the top area prospect for 2019. 

That Ohio State would be on a player like Mitchell this early shows how special the Buckeyes think he'll be. Now they have a jump on what should develop into a very competitive recruitment, assuming Mitchell takes his time.

Zach Fleer of 270Hoops.com reported that Mitchell was one of three Columbus-area prospects who took unofficial visits to Ohio State for Tuesday's game against Michigan.

The others were Jeremiah Keene, a 2019 guard from Westerville North, and Andre Wesson, a 2016 forward from Westerville South. Wesson is the older brother of center Kaleb Wesson, who has already committed to Ohio State for 2017. Keene and Andre Wesson have not yet received offers from the Buckeyes.

Ohio high school boys basketball statewide scores for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016

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Here are Thursday's boys basketball scores from around the state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are Thursday's boys basketball scores from around the state.

Beachwood 75, Painesville Harvey 52


Edgerton 37, Paulding 34


Galion Northmor 42, Fredericktown 39


Hudson WRA 64, Garrettsville Garfield 58


Kidron Cent. Christian 60, Can. Heritage Christian 34


Kirtland 63, Conneaut 47


Leetonia 54, Heartland Christian 34


Leipsic 74, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 42


Lima Temple Christian 79, Monclova Christian 56


Mantua Crestwood 75, Newton Falls 72


McGuffey Upper Scioto Valley 58, Marion Elgin 53


Milton-Union 52, Waynesville 47


Orange 79, Cle. St. Martin De Porres 35


Pandora-Gilboa 52, Continental 45


Powell Village Academy 46, Northside Christian 45


Sebring McKinley 69, Atwater Waterloo 40


Warren Harding 83, Youngs. Ursuline 72


Youngs. Mooney 58, Canfield S. Range 49








Division I

Cin. Moeller 59, Cin. Sycamore 40


Dublin Jerome 85, Logan 43


Loveland 51, Batavia Amelia 39








Division II

Cambridge 98, Lisbon Beaver 44


Zanesville Maysville 62, E. Liverpool 52








Division III

Richmond Edison 58, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 50


Ohio high school girls basketball statewide scores for Thursday, Feb. 18, 2016

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Here are Thursday's girls basketball scores from around the state.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here are Thursday's girls basketball scores from around the state.

Division I

Amherst Steele 58, Olmsted Falls 45


Avon 55, N. Olmsted 27


Avon Lake 45, Lorain 25


Berea-Midpark 85, Akr. Firestone 44


Brunswick 35, Strongsville 33


Can. McKinley 74, Massillon Washington 24


Canfield 51, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit 31


Cle. St. Joseph 58, Cle. John Marshall 13


E. Cle. Shaw 53, Lyndhurst Brush 50


Euclid 49, Mayfield 35


Hudson 50, Bedford 34


Kent Roosevelt 68, Austintown Fitch 59


Lakewood 39, Rocky River 32


Macedonia Nordonia 54, Shaker Hts. 51


Massillon Jackson 61, Can. Glenoak 49


Massillon Perry 42, Green 38


Medina 44, Parma 36


Mentor 74, Cle. Hts. 30


N. Can. Hoover 66, Uniontown Lake 35


N. Royalton 44, Medina Highland 41


Rocky River Magnificat 71, Cle. Rhodes 24


Solon 63, Cle. Hay 30


Stow-Munroe Falls 82, Akr. East 30


Twinsburg 70, Aurora 41


Wadsworth 76, Brecksville-Broadview Hts. 24


Westlake 64, Parma Hts. Valley Forge 18


Youngs. Boardman 49, Warren Harding 43








Division II

Alliance Marlington 55, Akr. Buchtel 38


Bay Village Bay 60, Sheffield Brookside 25


Bellbrook 54, Clarksville Clinton-Massie 44


Canal Fulton Northwest 58, Tallmadge 49


Chillicothe 48, Thornville Sheridan 43


Cin. Hughes 52, Cin. Indian Hill 44


Cin. Wyoming 59, New Richmond 16


Circleville 43, Vincent Warren 29


Cle. E. Tech 77, Cle. Cent. Cath. 52


Cle. VASJ 46, Chardon NDCL 36


Cortland Lakeview 76, Ravenna SE 68


Elyria Cath. 55, Brooklyn 23


Geneva 51, Jefferson Area 34


Kettering Alter 81, Day. Chaminade Julienne 38


Mentor Lake Cath. 49, Painesville Harvey 45


Norton 52, Can. South 48


Parma Hts. Holy Name 42, LaGrange Keystone 41


Parma Padua 62, Oberlin Firelands 39


Perry 49, Cle. Glenville 37


Poland Seminary 55, Beloit W. Branch 49


Ravenna 59, Struthers 40


Shaker Hts. Hathaway Brown 54, Cuyahoga Falls CVCA 32


Shaker Hts. Laurel 42, Richfield Revere 28


St. Vincent-St. Mary 101, Orange 30


Warren Howland 64, Salem 46








Division III

Cardington-Lincoln 48, Newark Cath. 35


Cols. Africentric 64, Johnstown Northridge 26


Lynchburg-Clay 60, Williamsport Westfall 42


Marion Pleasant 56, Fredericktown 33


Proctorville Fairland 56, Southeastern 50


Richwood N. Union 56, W. Jefferson 27








Division IV

Delaware Christian 64, Patriot Preparatory Academy 42


Portsmouth Notre Dame 54, Belpre 25


Waterford 49, Latham Western 25


LeBron James: Trading Anderson Varejao 'the worst part of the business'

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LeBron James lamented the trading of Anderson Varejao, his second longest-tenured teammate, but applauded the acquisition of Channing Frye.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- LeBron James said losing Anderson Varejao from the Cavs via trade Thursday is the "the worst part of the business."

"You lose a brother, you lose a teammate," James said Thursday, after Cleveland beat the Bulls 106-95. "That's the worst part about it."

Before the game, Cleveland dealt Varejao, Jared Cunningham, and a draft pick and received Orlando's Channing Frye. Varejao was traded to Portland and then placed  on waivers.

James and Varejao were in their eighth season together. Only Zydrunas Ilgauskas played more with James than Varejao.

Varejao joined the Cavs in James' second season. When James returned to the Cavs from Miami in 2014, he said he couldn't "wait" to be reunited with Varejao.

On Thursday, James said he hadn't yet spoken with Varejao since the trade.

"But I bet he's got tons of people reaching out to him right now," James said. "I'm going to kind of let it, I don't like to reach out right away. I'd like to let it boil down a little bit. Our friendship doesn't have to have a text message behind it."

Frye, 32, is 6-11 and was shooting about 40 percent from 3-point range for the Magic.

"We're excited to have Channing come here for sure," James said. "I think he can add something to our team, a veteran, a guy who's played some really good ball in his career, so we're excited about that. But like I said about Andy, that's the worst part of the business when it comes to this game."  

Anderson Varejao is gone but not forgotten and Kevin Love never believed trade rumblings: Fedor's five observations

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The day began early for the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding a shootaround before the first game following the All-Star break.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The day began early for the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding a shootaround before the first game following the All-Star break.

As they were preparing for the fading Chicago Bulls, General Manager David Griffin was bunkered in his office, making and taking phone calls, searching for the right piece to add to his championship roster before the 3 p.m. ET trade deadline.

His search led him back to a familiar face, Channing Frye, who the Cavs would've signed in 2014 before LeBron James' return changed the team's salary situation significantly. 

Getting Frye, a player who "furthers the cause," according to Griffin, was costly.  

The Cavs swapped Anderson Varejao, Jared Cunningham and a 2018 protected first-round pick for the versatile big man in a three-team deal with Portland and Orlando.

Hours later, the Cavaliers plowed through the Bulls, setting the tone for the second half of the season with a 106-95 win, a game in which the Cavs led by as many as 20 points and showed the kind of energy and defensive intensity their traded teammate.

It was the effort head coach Tyronn Lue has been demanding.

"Against a team like Chicago who's very physical, you've got to match that, or they'll beat you," James said. "And I think in the first two games we didn't match the intensity and we got beat, and today I think we answered the call."

Here are five observations:

Gone, but not forgotten - In the hallway of Quicken Loans Arena, outside the locker room, between the door to the Cavaliers' family area and the General Manager's office, is an arrangement of pictures capturing action shots of all the players.

Still hanging in its customary spot on Friday night was a photo of a floppy-haired Varejao fist pumping, showing the emotion that made him adored by fans and teammates.

Even though Varejao had been traded, there were plenty of memories left behind, making it an emotional night.

"It's going to be tough on me, just knowing what Andy meant to this organization, meant to the fan base here," Lue said. "Every time I played him, he was there. Every time I called his number he was ready to play. And just having those type of guys around -- professional, always smiling, in a good mood, always holding other guys accountable, that's just a great guy to have around. And it's a hard guy to lose."

The same sentiment was echoed by Varejao's teammates.

Andy.jpegAnderson Varejao's photo was still hanging outside the Cleveland Cavaliers' locker room on Friday night.  

"It hurt a lot. It hurt a lot," Kyrie Irving said after scoring 19 points. "But obviously as a professional you have to understand that's part of the business.

"Obviously he's going to be missed. I'll text him right after this and see how he's doing, make sure he's OK. But obviously as one of my vets coming in and we established a great friendship on and off the floor, like I said, I know in the city of Cleveland he'll be missed as well as in this locker room."

The Cavs will move on, of course, chasing bigger goals. And it won't be tough from a basketball perspective to replace him.

Varejao was struggling to get consistent minutes, buried on the bench for a majority of the season. In a potential Finals matchup, against Golden State, masters of small-ball, Varejao would have been out of place.

It was a decision that made smart basketball sense.

Still, for the players, Varejao's departure means a little more than an empty locker that used to stand next to Iman Shumpert.

"He's been great for me ever since I've been here," Tristan Thompson said after scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. "Definitely looked at him as a mentor and big brother. He's helped me a lot in the tricks of the trade rebounding-wise. Definitely sad that he's gone, but we just have to keep going and keep getting better."

Varejao was known for his non-stop hustle, his smiling face and his perseverance, fighting through numerous injuries during his career, including his most recent torn Achilles, an injury that cost him the opportunity to take part in Cleveland's postseason run last season. 

He exemplified everything the organization wants to be about. 

"His attitude," Love said when asked what he would miss the most. "Off the court he's very sarcastic but a guy that always brought it, guy that was a professional and he's the 'Wild Thing.' A lot of this fan base really loved him and it was no different here."

Irving, who leaned on Varejao in his early days, will cling to his own memories.

"A few times in the locker room, you guys didn't see any of it, but he could barely walk and we're coming out of the locker room, he's giving it his all, whether we had a chance at the playoffs or not," Irving said. "Winning or losing, he was still the same way. He came with the same mindset."

Varejao's future - Shortly after the trade was officially announced, the Blazers waived Varejao, making him a free agent.

Per league rules, the Cavs, even if they want him back, are ineligible to re-sign him for one year.

That likely won't stop another team from showing interest, with the Atlanta Hawks being a possibility now that they are without big man Tiago Splitter.

Other contenders could also take a run at him, hoping he can spark a second unit and maybe bring much-needed experience.

"Andy can still play," Thompson said. "He's still got years left in the league. When his number was called for us, when we were in Houston he played well against Dwight (Howard) and other games when his number was called he's definitely helped us win ball games. He's still got a lot left in the tank. Whatever team picks him up is definitely going to get a great player and great person."

Varejao, 33, is in his 12th season and is on the decline. But his old teammates think he will make for a quality addition. 

"I think he can bring a lot to a team whether it's him playing or him being one of those locker room guys, a guy that can come off the bench and give you a lot of energy," Love said. "I think he has a lot left in the tank."

Before getting moved, Varejao played in 31 games, averaging career-lows in minutes (10.0), points (2.6) and rebounds (2.9).

"He'll be fine. He's a smart player," Irving said. "Veteran leadership and can bring a lot to the team. That waive factor doesn't really matter and it doesn't really matter in terms of the stature and high value that I hold him at as an NBA basketball player.

"I played with him for five years. Obviously some injuries have stopped him over the last few years but anything before that, he was a high contributor to the team and the past Cavs teams and well as for us. So, still one of my good friends and like I said, he's going to be missed."

Frye's minutes - With Frye in the mix, possibly making his debut on Sunday against Oklahoma City, Lue will have to do some more roster juggling.

The Cavs traded some valuable assets for Frye. They want him to play. But that might be challenging.

"I'm not sure yet," Lue said when asked how he would use Frye. "Just wait and see when he gets here. We'll acclimate him to what we're trying to do and just going forward from there, I really don't have a vision yet."

Against Chicago, Lue used nine players, which is his normal plan. Timofey Mozgov, Matthew Dellavedova, Shumpert and Richard Jefferson came off the bench.

Given Frye's expected role and his unique skill set to play the four or five, taking minutes from Jefferson and Mozgov is most likely. Unless, of course, Lue expands his rotation to 10 guys, something he has been hesitant to do.

"I think considering the way we play with Kyrie and LeBron running a lot of pick-and-rolls and trying to keep the floor spread, I think Channing Frye gives us that," Lue said. "But also being 7-foot, he's able to also be a great post defender and he's not afraid to get his nose dirty. So it's definitely something we can use going forward and like I said, his height with his shooting ability makes it a lot better for us."

James Jones, who has fallen out of the rotation, was in Miami when the Heat morphed into a small-ball machine, using Chris Bosh at center to stretch the offense and allow Miami to switch on defense.

He understands Frye's value.

"The game has changed," Jones said. "It's all about spacing, especially when you have guys like Kyrie and LeBron and Kevin (Love) who finish very, very well when they have space. It's a big part of what we do. I think he gives us the versatility. We all understand that for us to have agile height, versatile height it's a good thing."

Added James: "We're excited to have Channing come here for sure. I think he can add something to our team, a veteran, a guy who's played some really good ball in his career, so we're excited about that."

Mozgov responds - Frustration has built for Mozgov this season and Frye's arrival could change Mozgov's role once again. But the one-time starter looked motivated Friday, determined to keep a grip on his backup spot.

The Russian center played with force, scoring 11 points and grabbing seven rebounds, including four on the offensive end. He also played 26 minutes, the most since Nov. 17, 2015. 

"I think it started with Tristan and Kev, and then Timo and the other bigs came in and they did a heckuva job," James said about the physicality. "Not only defensively but offensively, rebounding and getting out on the fastbreak."

Love never believed the rumors - Despite Griffin's constant dismissal, Love's named was tossed around in trade speculation.

The power forward heard the chatter during the All-Star break, but never believed any of it.

"I mean, the same thing was said last year," Love said of the rumors. "The fact is you guys are stuck with me. I'm here. I'm happy to be here. Want to win."

With the deadline in the rearview mirror, this is the group that will spearhead Cleveland's championship quest.

The Cavs will certainly monitor which players get bought out, hoping for Brooklyn's Joe Johnson, Minnesota's Kevin Martin or another player who fits the "3-and-D" mold. But given the roster makeup, any addition will have a hard time getting off the bench.

"This is who we are going to roll with and at the end of the day, we're all we got," Love said. "Now we have to continue to get better, move forward and just come closer together as much as we can."

Cleveland Cavaliers top Chicago for first time this season, 106-95

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To open up the second half of the season, the Cavaliers gathered their fourth straight victory with a strong defensive effort.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - To open up the second half of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers gathered their fourth straight victory with a 106-95 home win over Chicago on Thursday night.

Chicago (27-26) enterted with a 2-0 season-series advantage on Cleveland (39-14). But they were a shell of their best selves thanks to a losing battle with the injury bug. Jimmy Butler (knee), Nikola Mirotic (hematoma) and Joakim Noah (shoulder) are all sidelined, leaving the offense on the shoulders of Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol.

That is too much to overcome and is why they've lost seven of their last eight games.

James scored the Cavs' first eight points but was noticeably fatigued as he signaled for a timeout with 2:51 left in the first quarter. He dominated when the returned, nearly registering his second triple-double in his last three games -- 25 points, nine boards and nine assists.

In the last few minutes of the game, James looked for a defensive board but Iman Shumpert flew in to get it. James just laughed and screamed "damn."

Kyrie Irving recorded 19 points. Kevin Love had 15 points, 15 rebounds and a block. Tristan Thompson provided 16 points and 10 boards.

Lue said his team's defensive intensity has been lacking of late, but he had to be pleased with what he saw Thursday. The Bulls failed to reach 40 percent shooting and lost the rebounding battle 52-49 as well as blocks and steals (8-4 each).

In the second quarter, Mike Dunleavy was trapped along the baseline and his desperate pass was intercepted by Tristan Thompson, who raced up the floor. Thompson's ballhandling wasn't all that smooth, but his two-handed jam put the Cavaliers up 15 with 4:41 to go in the half.

J.R. Smith ran over to Thompson and the two skied for a chest bump. The crowd was on their feet, but Thompson wasn't done demonstrating his inner guard skills.

This time it was Rose who committed the turnover. Thompson got the ball and with just Rose ahead of him, he used a Euro-step to maneuver for the layup. Thompson said he was a guard when he first entered high school. Maybe he was telling the truth.

The Cavaliers couldn't land the knockout punch early, as Chicago ended the second on a 16-5 run to enter the break only down six.

Two minutes into the third things got heated when Smith and Taj Gibson received double technical fouls for a little shoving. Teammates and referees quickly separated them, but it would escalate the Cavaliers' play.

They went on a spirited 7-2 run that was capped off by a Smith-to-James alley oop. After the play, James danced for the fans as the Bulls called timeout. He knew the Bulls didn't have enough firepower. In the final quarter, the Cavaliers pushed their lead to 20 before the Bulls' bench chipped at the deficit in garbage time.

Timofey Mozgov supplied 11 points, seven rebounds and a game-high four blocks off the bench. Matthew Dellavedova returned after missing the last five games to nurse a sore left hamstring. He put in seven points in 17 minutes.

Rose had a game-high 28 points to go with seven assists. Gasol added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Channing Frye, who the Cavaliers received in a trade with Orlando and Portland that dealt away Anderson Varejao and Jared Cunningham, was not in town. He is expected to be in uniform when the team visits the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday.

On deck

The Thunder get their rematch with the Cavaliers on Sunday after falling at The Q in mid-December. The game will be on ABC at 3:30 p.m.

Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson remains a serious candidate to join Cleveland Cavaliers

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Brooklyn Nets veteran swingman Joe Johnson is still very much in play for the defending Eastern Conference champions, league sources informed cleveland.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't relinquished their mission of accumulating back-end rotation help to "further the cause," a term general manager David Griffin recently used.

Brooklyn Nets veteran swingman Joe Johnson is still very much in play for the defending Eastern Conference champions, league sources informed cleveland.com.

Should Johnson, 34, obtain a buyout of his $25 million salary for the season, Cleveland would be his next destination, sources with knowledge of the dialogue told cleveland.com.

Brooklyn is aware of the ballpark figure it would take for Johnson to agree to a buyout, a source said. The way sources characterize the situation, Brooklyn has to decide whether it wants to help the Cavaliers, or allow Johnson to play out his contract as-is.

Johnson, I'm told, isn't overly concerned about whether a buyout is negotiated. His primary focus is just playing.

A player who is bought out must be signed with his new team by March 1 to be playoff-eligible. Cleveland considered trading for Johnson last summer.

Griffin and Johnson have a relationship dating back to when they were in Phoenix. Cleveland has two roster spots open for buyout candidates. On Thursday, sharpshooter Steve Novak was acquired by Denver in a trade, but will be bought out.

He will be a candidate for the Cavaliers, too.


See interactive, printable hockey brackets for all four districts in 2016 OHSAA state tournament

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Check out brackets for the 2016 OHSAA state hockey tournament.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Hockey teams from all over Ohio are battling for their chance to play for a state championship in Nationwide Arena in Columbus in the 2016 OHSAA state tournament.

District play started earlier this week in four districts all across the state of Ohio.


Check out printable brackets for all four districts here in this post. Brackets will be updated nightly throughout the tournament.


A new bracket will be posted for the state final four.


Brooklyn


Columbus


Kent


Sylvania

Do recent Big Ten upsets give Ohio State basketball more hope? What the Buckeyes said on Friday

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The Buckeyes need big wins, and have seen underdogs around the conference get them this week.

Why the Cleveland Indians' signing of Juan Uribe makes (temporary) sense

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When a team has holes on its roster, has limited funds and doesn't want to part with prospects, it ends up with a 37-year-old Opening Day third baseman.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- When a team has holes on its roster, has limited funds and doesn't want to part with prospects, it ends up with a 37-year-old Opening Day third baseman.

And, really, Juan Uribe isn't a poor fit for the Indians. Not yet, at least.

With no way to know what Giovanny Urshela can provide with his bat -- and with the Indians hesitant to find that out in April and May, when they will likely be without Michael Brantley -- Uribe offers somewhat of a safety net.

Maybe he'll flame out by midseason, a la Mark Reynolds. Maybe he'll be part of a mass exodus of underperforming veterans in July, a la Brandon Moss, Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher. Or, maybe he'll force Urshela to truly earn playing time at the hot corner, rather than fall into it because Lonnie Chisenhall needed a change of scenery.

Though Uribe will turn 37 two weeks before Opening Day, even at that heightened age -- he played with Larry Walker, Ron Gant, Denny Neagle and Sal Fasano, for goodness sake -- he might be a better alternative than anyone else in-house.

The Indians could have landed Todd Frazier, but they scoffed at Cincinnati's asking price. Instead, Frazier relocated to a different American League Central team, the White Sox.

How much of an upgrade would Frazier have been over Uribe?

Over the last three years:

Uribe: .281/.329/.432 slash line, 114 OPS+, 10.5 WAR

Frazier: .255/.320/.457 slash line, 113 OPS+, 12.2 WAR

Granted, Frazier has logged 700 more plate appearances during that stretch and has socked 48 more home runs. There are reasons he has played more, even though their rates of production have been similar.

Uribe will be a one-year stopgap, at most, which follows the front office's recent operating trend. With this ownership, the Indians are never going to hand out a sizable contract to a free agent. Uribe, Mike Napoli and Rajai Davis will combine to earn base salaries of about $17 million in 2016. All figure to be one-year Band-Aids.

Many have asked why the team doesn't simply pool that $17 million and funnel it toward one imposing slugger. If a hitter would take that sum for one or two years, it might work. That's rarely the case, though, and the Indians aren't in the business of offering five- or six-year commitments.

For what its worth, Uribe has made a name for himself as a valuable clubhouse presence (and, on an unrelated note, he is not a football fan).

Defensive metrics rated Uribe highly at third base in 2013 and '14. He totaled 32 defensive runs saved, with a high zone rating, during those two years, per FanGraphs. Last year, he checked in with an average rating.

Defense is the one area in which the Indians have no qualms regarding Urshela. For now, the 24-year-old will likely have to hone his offensive ability at Triple-A. He posted a .225/.279/.330 clip with the Tribe last year.

This off-season, the Indians added a 34-year-old first baseman, a 35-year-old left fielder and a 37-year-old third baseman to an offense that escaped from misery only after the club dealt away its aging veterans last summer.

Will it work this time around? Time will tell. Handing Uribe $4-5 million isn't really a high-risk maneuver, though.

The Indians are just in a position in which they have more confidence in a stocky, soon-to-be-37-year-old than any of their other third-base options.

Indians, Uribe agree, pending physical

'The Scar' that drives one Cleveland Browns assistant coach to excel in 2016: Tom Reed

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Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor has earned another chance to improve the Browns' fortunes even as he remains haunted by the blocked field goal against the Ravens.

BEREA, Ohio - Chris Tabor recently nicknamed his most painful moment in coaching.

As a Cleveland resident, the Browns special teams coordinator naturally chose a two-word description beginning with "The."

Tabor calls it The Scar. It's not as famous or as consequential as The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot and The Decision. But every Cleveland fan and viewer of year-end sports highlights knows the play he's referencing. In the Browns' first Monday Night appearance in six years, they had a game-winning field goal attempt by Travis Coons blocked and returned for a 64-yard touchdown by the Ravens' Will Hill on Nov. 30.

Social media erupted. Video of cursing, jersey-shredding Browns fans inside FirstEnergy Stadium went viral. The dramatic play took its place alongside Aaron Rodgers' two Hail Marys as indelible images of the NFL season.

Tabor, a good coach and better man, vows it will make him and his unit stronger for the upcoming season.

"It's hard to let it go," he said Thursday afternoon as Browns coordinators met with the media. "It's painful, but you can't let it wreck you. ... The Scar drives me, it motivates me to be better."

The stunning turn of events in an otherwise forgettable 3-13 season reminds us why special teams still matter despite our best efforts to marginalize them. The Vikings' post-season run ended on a missed chip shot. A botched PAT by the sensational Stephen Gostkowski hung over the Patriots' defeat in the AFC title game.

Think the kicking game is trivial? My guess is Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan punter would offer a slightly different take. It's why the Browns' braintrust asked new coach Hue Jackson to consider retaining Tabor after its latest house cleaning last month.

On a franchise known for instability - 134 coaches since 1999 - Tabor begins work under his fourth head coach. No other Browns assistant can make such a claim. It's hard to recall another NFL assistant who's survived as many regime changes. Only Joe Thomas, Joe Haden and the Terminal Tower have been here longer.

"I feel blessed, I really do," said Tabor, who remains with the Browns alongside his assistant Shawn Mennenga. "I truly believe deep down in my heart the good Lord always has a plan for you. You never question the plan."

Tabor's longevity is a testament to his coaching ability, especially in the transient world of special teams. The Browns have finished 19th and 17th the past two seasons in the comprehensive Dallas Morning News special teams' ratings, which take into account 22 categories of the kicking game.

Imagine where they might rank if Browns' management didn't outsmart itself in 2013 and let Phil Dawson walk in free agency. Tabor accepted the unenviable challenge of grooming a young kicker last season and Coons converted 28 of 32 field-goal attempts with all four misses coming on blocks.

Coons made his first 18 kicks before the fateful block of the 51-yard attempt against the Ravens. The debacle was the result of dreadful clock management by Mike Pettine, porous blocking by Danny Shelton and Cam Irving and a low kick from Coons. Special teams' breakdowns - including an 82-yard punt return - helped contribute to 21 Ravens points in Tabor's worst game on the Browns' sidelines.

Such performances have been few on Tabor's watch. When it goes bad, however, everyone remembers.

Tabor was coaching Western Michigan in 2007 when the Broncos took an intentional safety and just needed to cover the ensuing punt on the final play to beat the University of Akron. One lateral later, the Zips were in the end zone celebrating a stunning 89-yard touchdown.

Dubious moments probably make the former small-college quarterback wonder why he allowed himself to be talked into coaching the most unappreciated of the game's three phases. Coordinating special teams is like becoming a bobsledder. Few American kids grow up dreaming of it. You just stumble into the profession.

"I tried to avoid coaching special teams like the plague," Tabor said. "I was an offensive guy, and I tried to stay out of the special teams world. ... I started really getting into it and studying it, and it helped me grow as a coach."

Fans and media members alike don't think much of special teams until calamity strikes. Former Packers executive Andrew Brandt equates quality kickers with divorce attorneys - you dislike them until you need one. In fairness, Dawson was beloved in his time here despite the team's annual struggles. Same with kick returner Josh Cribbs.

There's no question Tabor wants the Browns to re-sign potential free agents Travis Benjamin and gunner Johnson Bademosi. The club should lock up both players. It already possesses one of the NFL's elite punters in Andy Lee.

Tabor's biggest decision involves Coons. Do the Browns develop him or turn to a veteran next season? Coons must increase his leg strength, Tabor said, and generate more "lift" on his field-goal attempts.

Dawson spoke highly of the Washington product late in the season.

"Missing kicks is never fun, but he's having a great year," Dawson said. "Way better than my first year here. Everybody just needs to remember that."

Tabor will work hard to improve Coons' shortcomings throughout the spring. The football lifer who wanted nothing to do with special teams has emerged as one of the Browns' most passionate coaches on the practice fields.

He loves his adopted home and wants to be here when it finally turns for the franchise that parity forgot.

It's a cliche to say Tabor bleeds orange and brown. Then again, he has The Scar to prove it.

The case for and against the Cavaliers retiring Anderson Varejao's number (poll)

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Varejao spent his entire 12-year with the Cavaliers. His constant hustle and mop-top hairstyle earned him the nickname "Wild Thing" as he became a fan favorite and a nuisance for the opposing team.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers bid a bittersweet farewell to Anderson Varejao this week, trading him in a three-team deal that brought Channing Frye to Cleveland.

Varejao was subsequently waived by Portland, but due to NBA rules, he can't re-sign with the Cavaliers for 12 months. His career in Cleveland is effectively over.

"Few players have earned the respect, support and admiration of an entire organization, fan base and community as Andy did here," Cavs GM David Griffin said in a statement. "We thank Andy for his hard work, dedication and contributions to the Cavaliers and our community and wish him and his wife, Marcelle, the very, very best."

Varejao spent his entire 12-year with the Cavaliers. His constant hustle and mop-top hairstyle earned him the nickname "Wild Thing" as he became a nuisance for the opposing team and inspired a legion of curly wig-wearing fans.

Shortly after he was dealt, there was some chatter on social media that posted an interesting question: should Varejao's No. 17 be retired by the Cavaliers?

The "Cavs must retire Anderson Varejao's number," JoshReyes_ posted on Twitter.

"Varejao is top 10 in rebounds. Great guy. Great in community. Not close to retired number status," pronkville08 chimed in.

It's not an open and shut case as it may seem on the surface. Before deciding where you stand, let's look at both sides of the argument.

CASE FOR RETIRING HIS NUMBER

Varejao's name has slowly crept up in the lists of the Cavaliers' all-time leaders in several categories. He ranks seventh in games played (591), third in offensive rebounds (1,479), fifth in defensive rebounds (2,955), fifth in total rebounds (4,434), tied for seventh in blocks (397) and eighth in steals (529). His value, however, must be measured in more than stats. He was an emotional leader, providing inspiration to his teammates and fans with every loose ball he tracked down and every charge he took.

There's also a precedent for the Cavaliers retiring a player's number for their intangible contributions. Nate Thurmond's No. 42 hangs in the rafters at Quicken Loans Arena not for gaudy stats (5.0 points a game in two seasons), but for being the inspirational leader of the Miracle of Richfield team.

Finally, No. 17 is not a common uniform number in the NBA. Retiring it poses little risk as opposed to a more sought-after number.

CASE AGAINST RETIRING HIS NUMBER

Varejao was a reserve for most of his career, starting only about 35 percent of the time. When he did play, he was often hurt, missing at least 30 games due to injury in six of his 12 seasons. He only averaged more than double-figure points in two seasons, both of which were cut short by injury.

The retirement of Thurmond's number, ironically, could also be viewed as a detriment to hanging up Varejao's. The team might be looking to reserve the honor for more obviously deserving players. After all, this is a franchise that hasn't even retired World B. Free's number.

TAKE THE POLL

After reading the cases for and against, tell us if you'd like to see Varejao's No. 17 hanging in the rafters some day at Quicken Loans Arena.

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