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NFL 2017 Wild Card preview: Sunday's schedule, TV, live streaming

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The Pittsburgh Steelers play host to the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants visit the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's NFL wild card games.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Three of the NFL's best quarterbacks will be in action Sunday as wild card weekend concludes with two games.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will play host to the Miami Dolphins (1:05 p.m., CBS), then Eli Manning will lead the New York Giants to face the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers (4:40 p.m., FOX).

On Saturday, the Houston Texans advanced to the AFC divisional playoffs with a 27-14 win over the Oakland Raiders. In an NFC wild card game, the Seattle Seahawks advanced with a 26-6 win over the Detroit Lions.

You can get complete previews, live scores, stats and updates on our NFL Scoreboard.

Here's a look at Sunday's games:

MIAMI DOLPHINS (9-5) at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-6)

When: Sunday, 1:05 p.m., Heinz Field

TV: CBS

Live stream: NFL GamePass

Why watch: Matt Moore will start at quarterback for the Dolphins. Regular QB Ryan Tannehill is recovering from a knee injury two weeks ago and is close to ready but isn't expected to play. ... The Dolphins are making their first playoff appearance since 2008. ... Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is making his 18th playoff start and has an 11-6 record, including two Super Bowl victories, but has lost four of his last five playoff games. ... The Dolphins defeated the Steelers earlier this season, 30-15, as RB Jay Ajayi ran for 204 yards and two touchdowns. ... The Steelers closed the season with seven consecutive wins, including last week's overtime victory at the Cleveland Browns. ... Dolphins cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle) is listed as doubtful and Steelers tight end Ladarius Green (concussion) is questionable.

NEW YORK GIANTS (11-5) at GREEN BAY PACKERS (10-6)

When: Sunday, 4:40 p.m., Lambeau Field

TV: FOX

Live stream: Fox Sports Go

Why watch: Giants QB Eli Manning threw for 4,027 yards this season. He has an 8-3 record in postseason games (including two Super Bowl wins) and has won eight of his last nine playoff games. ... The Giants won nine of their last 11 games to make the playoffs. ... Aaron Rodgers led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes this season and finished the season by throwing 18 touchdowns and no interceptions in the last seven games. ... Green Bay beat the Giants earlier this season at Lambeau, 23-16. ... Packers LB Clay Matthews will play although he's still bothered by a shoulder injury. ... This is the first playoff game for Giants first-year coach Ben McAdoo, who spent eight seasons as an assistant with the Packers.


Cleveland Cavs vs. Phoenix Suns, Game 36

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LeBron James and the Cavs continue their season-long, six-game road trip Sunday at 8:30 p.m. against the Phoenix Suns Watch video

PHOENIX -- The Cavs (27-8) are set for game two of this season-long six-game road trip with an 8:30 p.m. tilt tonight against Phoenix (12-25).

Last meeting: This is their first game in 2016-17. The Cavs swept both games last season.

What's up with the Cavs: LeBron James stands to become the 14th player in NBA history to make 10,000 shots. He needs two more. James is also 11 assists from passing Tim Hardaway (7,095 assists) for 15th on the all-time list. He's scored 30 in three of the last four games. Kyrie Irving's 16 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's win marked the 62nd time in a regular-season game he's scored at least 10 in the final period. Irving finished with 32 points. The Cavs are 18-0 when scoring at least 110 points and tied a season high with 14 steals in their 116-108 win over Brooklyn Friday.

Cavs injuries: J.R. Smith (right thumb surgery) and Chris Andersen (torn right ACL) are out.

What's up with the Suns: They're near the basement in the West. The Cavs just finished with the worst team in the entire league -- the Nets -- so Cleveland is going to have to keep its focus. The Suns have actually won two straight and are 2-3 with this starting lineup. Devin Booker has 11 games of 30 or more points in not quite 1 1/2 seasons, joining. Irving, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and Blake Griffin as the only players with that many 30-point outings in their first 102 contests.Eric Bledsoe is one of five players averaging at least 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. James is another.

Suns injuries: None.

Probable starters:
Cavs

F LeBron James (26.1 ppg; 7.9 rpg; 8.4 apg)
F Kevin Love (21.7 ppg; 11.0 rpg; 1.7 apg)
C Tristan Thompson (7.0 ppg; 9.9 rpg; 0.7 apg)
G DeAndre Liggins (3.0 ppg; 1.9 rpg; 1.1 apg)
G Kyrie Irving (24.2 ppg; 3.6 rpg; 5.9 apg)

Suns
F T.J. Warren (14.3 ppg; 4.0 rpg; 0.8 apg)
F Marquese Chriss (7.0 ppg; 3.4 rpg; 0.5 apg)
C Tyson Chandler (7.5 ppg; 11.6 rpg; 0.6 apg)
G Devin Booker (19.0 ppg; 2.8 rpg; 3.1 apg)
G Eric Bledsoe (20.1 ppg; 5.0 rpg; 5.8 apg)

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns: Tipoff time, TV, radio and streaming information

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Here's where to watch, listen and stream the Cleveland Cavaliers' game vs. the Phoenix Suns tonight.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play Game 36 of the 2016 NBA season Sunday against the Phoenix Suns. Here's how to watch, listen and stream the action online.

What: Cleveland Cavaliers (27-8) vs. Phoenix Suns (12-25).
Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena.
When: 8:30 p.m.
TV: FoxSports Ohio.
Radio: WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM La Mega.
Online: FoxSports Go.

Phoenix notable: The Cavs had a season-high tying 14 steals on Friday and are averaging 9.5 steals over the last eight games (since Dec. 23). Channing Frye led the way with a career-high tying four steals against the Nets, while Tristan Thompson swiped a season-high three steals.

Cleveland notable: The Suns have allowed 95 points or fewer in four of their past five games, allowing just 95.2 points per game over this five-game span.

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs.

Hue Jackson on Gregg Williams: 'He gets the most out of his players'

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Hue Jackson says Gregg Williams' strength is maximizing the talents of his players.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Hue Jackson is hoping that new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams can coax some Pro Bowl seasons out of the Browns' young defenders.

"We're thrilled that Gregg Williams is joining our staff as defensive coordinator," Jackson said Sunday in a release. "Gregg has been an outstanding defensive coach in this league for a very long time. His defenses have frequently finished among the top ten in the league.

"He adapts his scheme to maximize the strengths of his personnel and has always been able to get the most out of his players. We look forward to him coming in, helping our players improve and helping us become the winning team we are all working towards."

Williams, who replaced fired defensive coordinator Ray Horton, brings 26 years' NFL coaching experience, including three as a head coach and 15 as a defensive coordinator. His defenses have finished in the top five in total defense five times, including the top defense in the NFL in 2000. The Rams' defensive coordinator the past three seasons, he's coached eight top 10 top defenses, including a No. 9 finish overall.

"It's very exciting for me to become part of the Cleveland Browns organization and join Hue Jackson's coaching staff," Williams said. "I have so much respect for Hue having competed against him in this league for so many years. We're looking forward to getting to work."

The Browns are hoping Williams can develop some of their young talent such as third-round pass-rusher Carl Nassib and fourth-round linebacker Joe Schobert.

A disciple of legendary Buddy Ryan, Williams primarily runs an attacking 4-3 scheme, different than Horton's 3-4 base front. 

Ray Horton fired and Gregg Williams hired as Browns defensive coordinator

Williams had a Super Bowl victory, a head coaching stint and Bountygate on his resume.

He was suspended for all of 2012 for the Saints' "pay-for-performance'' scheme. Some referred it to as a pay-to-injure system, but Williams denied that was ever part of the program.

"One of the things was it was on my watch, but there was nothing that hasn't been done in the last 50 years in the sport and there was nothing done to try to hurt somebody,'' Williams said in an interview with KMOX-Radio in St. Louis in July of 2015. "It was never done with anybody trying to injure somebody.

"It's just one of those things that we're always trying to find little bitty advantages in sport and it was unfairly and uncharacteristically portrayed the wrong way, but I did grow a lot from there and I found out a lot about myself, I found out a lot about my friends, I found out a lot about my enemies, too.

"I said this about a week into that process, I'm going to be stronger, better, wiser and tougher when we go through these things.''

Williams, who was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in 2013 and joined the Titans as a senior assistant/defense, took over as the Rams' defensive coordinator in 2014.

This season, his defense finished ninth overall, 16th against the run and 10th against the pass. The Rams were 23rd in points per game and tied for 24th in sacks.

Here are some other things to know about Williams:

* He's presided over five top five total defenses: Tennessee Titans (No. 1 in total defense in 2000), Buffalo Bills (No. 3 in 2001 and No. 2 in 2003), Washington Redskins (No. 3 in 2005), and the New Orleans Saints (No. 4 in 2010).

* His apology after Bountygate: "I want to express my sincere regret and apology to the NFL, Mr. Benson, and the New Orleans Saints fans for my participation in the 'pay for performance' program while I was with the Saints. It was a terrible mistake, and we knew it was wrong while we were doing it.

"Instead of getting caught up in it, I should have stopped it. I take full responsibility for my role. I am truly sorry. I have learned a hard lesson and I guarantee that I will never participate in or allow this kind of activity to happen again."

* Williams was defensive coordinator of the Saints from 2009-2011. He helped them to two division titles (2009 and 2011), an NFC Conference Championship (2009), and Super Bowl XLIV, as well as an NFC Wild Card berth in 2010.

* He went 17-31 in his three seasons as Bills head coach.

* Williams' defensive players enjoy playing for him and he had a big fan in the Rams' best player, defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

"The best thing about him is he doesn't let you get comfortable," Donald recently told Rams reporters. "No matter how much success you've got, you make one little mistake, he's going to jump on you and let you know about it.

"He always motivated me, always pushed me. I just love the way he let us play. He plays to his players' strengths and lets us go out there and just fly around."

Canton McKinley blocks No. 20 Lutheran East, 68-66, in Play By Play Classic opener

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Canton McKinley’s Tymere Straughter blocked a corner 3-pointer in the final seconds to stop a Lutheran East rally Sunday morning in the opener of the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wall...

BEREA, Ohio – Canton McKinley’s Tymere Straughter blocked a corner 3-pointer in the final seconds to stop a Lutheran East rally Sunday morning in the opener of the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.

The Falcons, ranked No. 20 in the cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25, dropped a 68-66 game to the Bulldogs.


Lutheran East (6-4) trailed by nine entering the fourth quarter. It led through most of the first half, but Kwausy Toles’ half-court shot beat the halftime buzzer and began a crucial spurt for McKinley.






The Bulldogs (8-2) went on an 11-0 run starting with Toles' shot. He finished with five points, but four players scored in double figures to lead them. De’onte McCollum notched a team-high 15 points and Isaiah Smith added 13. Darryl Straughter scored 11 points, while Jaedyn McCallup added 10.


They halted a two-game losing streak that included games against Massillon Jackson and North Canton Hoover.


Maurico Tate led Lutheran East with 16 points, Keandre Graves scored 15, Daandre Bateman had 12 and Jordan Burge added 11.


The matchup opened a seven-game slate at BW.


Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

Hue Jackson on hiring Gregg Williams: 'I'm going to win here; I need growth over there as fast as I can get it'

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Hue Jackson says Gregg Williams is one of the best defensive coordinators in the league and fits his vision for how he wants to play D.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --  Hue Jackson knows that firing Ray Horton sets off the "Browns are unstable'' alarm, but he couldn't pass up the chance to hire one of the best defensive coordinators in the NFL in Gregg Williams.

"The guy has a ton of skins on the wall,'' Jackson said on a conference call Sunday of the 16th year defensive coordinator. "I need growth over there as fast as I can get it. I truly believe in his track record and what he's done. This wasn't an easy decision. I agonized over this probably more than anybody because it hurt some people. But I have to do what's right to get us to where we need to be. I think Gregg is that guy."

Jackson, who was torn up by the Browns' 1-15 season, is on a fast track to turn things around, and he'll be ruthless in his pursuit of winning.

"When I set out to take this job, I told you my expectation was I was going to win here,'' he said. "I am going to win here. In order to do that, I have to make some tough decisions. It's not personal. This is the business side of it.

"You have to have vision, you have to have support when you get ready to make decisions and then you have to execute the decisions. Those are the chances you have to take in this profession."

Jackson hopes Pep Hamilton stays, but cautions more shakeup is coming

Jackson vowed that Williams, who was suspended for all of 2012 for administering a "pay-for-performance'' system in New Orleans, will not bring that culture here.

"We've had conversations about it, but I think that's behind him,'' said Jackson. "Obviously, he has already paid the price for that. We will not be having a Bountygate situation in Cleveland.''

What he will bring is an attack-minded, aggressive scheme that Browns players and fans will love. In his 15 years as a coordinator, Williams has coached eight top 10 defenses and five top fives, including a No. 1 overall with the Titans in 2000.

"They are very aggressive and attacking. They make you go the long, hard route to score touchdowns. That is what playing football in the National Football League is all about. His defenses have demonstrated that they tackle well and that the ball is not thrown over their head big time. In order to be a really good defense, the characteristics I just mentioned, you have to have."

Despite Horton coaching one of the youngest defenses in the NFL, Jackson grew weary of the poor tackling and touchdowns allowed. The Browns were tied with San Francisco with 56 touchdowns allowed -- and first in the NFL with 36 passing TDs given up.

"If anybody, the finger is pointed back at me,'' said Jackson. "It's not pointed at Ray. At the end of the day, the whole buck stops with me. I get it. I know what it looks like and what the perception is, but that is not what it is. This is my decision.''

Jackson stressed that Williams, traditionally a 4-3 coach, will run whatever schemes fits the existing and new talent. The Browns have the No. 1 pick in the draft, and will look hard at taking Texas A&M's Myles Garrett or Alabama's Jonathan Allen with that pick.

"Gregg comes from a lot of different backgrounds,'' he said. "He comes from a 4-3 system. He comes from a 3-4 system. He has done a little bit of it all. We need to look at our personnel and see where we are and find out what is best to get our men to play the best we can get them to play.  He's going to bring us the type of defense that I'm looking for as we move forward here."

Williams will also bring at least three to four of his defensive assistants with him from St. Louis, and maybe elsewhere.

"I don't think you can expect a whole new defensive staff, but I'm going to allow him to bring some guys who I think are going to help sell the message of what we're trying to create on defense,'' said Jackson. "He's going to interview guys, and we are going to kind of go from there. Will there be changes? Yeah, there will probably be some changes. That's all part of it, too."

Williams' ability to develop young talent was a big part of the change. The Browns didn't feel they got enough out of some of the young defensive talent, such as rookies Carl Nassib and Joe Schobert. Horton got fine seasons out of Chris Kirksey, Danny Shelton and Jamar Taylor, but Jackson is looking for more.

Williams' aggressive style might also be a good selling point for pending free agent linebacker Jamie Collins and other top-notch defenders.

"I'd hope that our young players do take the next jump next year and become huge contributing members to our football team,'' said Jackson. "We're going to put other players on this football team who need to be developed and placed within our system and play extremely well and extremely hard. That's what I'm chasing. I have a vision of what I want our defense to play like and look like, and I'mgoing to get that. That's what I am looking forward to."

Jackson cautioned that more staff shakeup is coming, in addition to whatever changes Williams makes. Special teams coordinator Chris Tabor might have a chance to join Dave Toub if he gets the head job in San Diego or Denver, and associate head coach/offense Pep Hamilton is weighing an offer from Jim Harbaugh to take over as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Michigan.  

"I'm still looking at everything,'' said Jackson. "This is a thorough evaluation of our staff. I'm going to do this brick by brick. There could be more changes because guys have better opportunities. There could be more changes because I think something is going to improve us and make us better.''

Jackson took continuity into considering, but the chance to improve outweighed it.

 "That was a huge piece of it because I know what it looks like and I know what it feels like for everybody here - 'Here are the Browns again changing out,' - but it's not about that,'' he said. "Everybody would be disappointed in me if I did not as the leader make tough decisions. You're kind of damned if you do and damned if you don't. I don't worry about that. This is really about my vision.''

Cavs keeping Jordan McRae, DeAndre Liggins

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The Cavs chose to keep Jordan McRae and DeAndre Liggins past Sunday's deadline, making their contracts fully guaranteed this season.

PHOENIX -- To the degree that there was any intrigue over whether DeAndre Liggins and Jordan McRae would be paid as NBA players the entire season, it's passed.

The Cavs would've had to waive both players to avoid paying their full salaries. Liggins makes just over $1 million; McRae just under. Each had only a portion of his salary fully guaranteed ahead of today's deadline.

Liggins will start for the Cavs tonight against Phoenix; McRae was at the arena before shootaround getting up extra shots with Kyrie Irving.

"It's great for him, for Liggins, for young guys to make the team, just shows all the hard work they've put in," Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said. "They continue to grow as players, get better and better, so I'm happy for them."

Eyes were on McRae, who has been on the fringe of Lue's rotation. Until the Cavs traded Mo Williams' contract to Atlanta yesterday, they needed a roster spot to add a backup point guard, which as of yet hasn't happened.

Cleveland could've waived McRae to avoid paying his full salary, the tax penalty on his salary, and freed up a roster spot. It was far, far less likely that Liggins would be let go, given that he is a starter.

"It didn't even come up," Lue said. "We knew we was gonna keep those guys. Two great young talents we like on this team. Like what they bring to this team. Like I said before, just happy that those guys guys are here on an NBA roster, they're going to be on the team for rest of the season."

Liggins, 28, is in his fourth pro season, is averaging just 3.0 points per game, but his job is to guard the other team's point guard -- in this case Eric Bledsoe (20.1 ppg).

McRae, 25, in his second season, is averaging 5.2 points in 23 games.

Dwayne Cohill’s 30 points lead No. 15 Holy Name past No. 24 Brush, 79-57

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A matured Dwayne Cohill led Holy Name at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic, which he missed last season for disciplinary reasons.

BEREA, Ohio – A year ago when Holy Name played in the Scholastic Play By Play at Baldwin Wallace, Dwayne Cohill missed it because of disciplinary reasons.

He didn’t miss Sunday’s boys basketball showcase, scoring a game-high 30 points and leading Holy Name’s 79-57 drubbing of Brush.


“I learned a lot over the four and a half games that I missed last year,” he said.


Holy Name, ranked No. 15 in the cleveland.com Top 25, is better for it.


The Green Wave (9-1) took control early, closing the first quarter on runner to the basket after breaking down his defender. It continued for the next three quarters against No. 24 Brush (8-2).




Cohill led the offense, while seniors Sean Hickey and Ralph Vance corralled Brush standout point guard D.J. Dial on the other end. The sophomore scored 13 points for the Arcs, while junior Tyler Williams led them with 17.


“We scouted them all week and focused on their ball screens, making sure the pull-ups he had were contested,” said Vance, one of four Holy Name players to score in double figures on the other end.


Vance finished with 10, Brandon Styers added 15 and 6-9 senior Malique Burton added 14.


Like Cohill with his suspension last year, Holy Name coach Jeff Huber didn’t have Burton for this event last season. Burton transferred last year from St. Ignatius and sat out the year. Huber called it a collective effort and a statement his team yearned to make two years after a regional tournament run.


A matured Cohill helps.


“He was a great player last year. He’s a better player this year,” Huber said, “but I think the biggest growth in his game has been his maturity and leadership. It’s been very fun and rewarding to see him take that mental leap he’s taken.”


Sunday’s showcase at BW attracts college coaches, and Cohill is one of their reasons for attending. Pitt coach Jamie Dixon stopped by BW for last year’s Play By Play. A Penn State coach was among Sunday’s spectators.


Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.


No. 1 St. Edward relies on depth, second-quarter run to defeat Brunswick, 52-41

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St. Edward boys basketball sat its starters for the first quarter of its 52-41 win vs. Brunswick on Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio — Playing its seventh game in 13 days on Sunday, St. Edward coach Eric Flannery gave his starters the first quarter off in the Eagles’ 52-41 win vs. Brunswick at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.

Key players Tommy Schmock, who had a team-high 12 points, Kelvin Calhoun, Emmett Chambers and Jack Sullivan did not enter the game until the second quarter. When they did, the Eagles (9-2), ranked No. 1 in the cleveland.com Top 25, ended the first half on a 15-0 run to take the lead for good.


“There’s two points to it. One, we’ve got guys on the bench that haven’t played a lot of minutes that deserve minutes because they do everything that the starters do,” St. Edward coach Eric Flannery said. “Objective No. 2 was to kind of shorten the game for the guys that have been playing a lot of minutes and getting up and down. I think we accomplished both, and to be able to pull out the victory while doing that is pretty special.”




Calhoun added 10 points for the Eagles. In the win, 10 different St. Edward players scored.


Kyle Goessler led the Blue Devils (7-5) with 27 points and hit six 3-pointers, three in the third quarter. Keith Simmons added 10 for Brunswick.


Both teams have big rivalry games coming up this week with the Eagles traveling to No. 5 St. Ignatius on Friday and Brunswick at Strongsville on Tuesday.

Hue Jackson hopes Pep Hamilton stays but more shakeup coming: 'I'm doing this brick by brick'

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Hue Jackson acknowledged that more staff changes are coming besides Gregg Williams replacing Ray Horton as defensive coordinator.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Hue Jackson hopes he still has some Pep in his step, but cautioned that more staff shakeup is coming.

He wants his top offensive assistant Pep Hamilton to turn down the Michigan job, but knows more coaches will come and go in the wake of Gregg Williams replacing Ray Horton as defensive coordinator.

"I feel very comfortable that Pep is staying,'' Jackson said on a conference call Sunday. "Anything can happen. We want him to stay. We hope he stays. Like I said, a young man is entitled to do what they feel is best for them, but I'd think we've created a good environment and I hope things are still good. As far as I know, things are."

Hamilton, the Browns' associate head coach/offense has a chance to be reunited with his old Stanford boss Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. The job is quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, which would give Hamilton a chance to call his own plays.

It's probably also a quicker path to becoming a college head coach, which might be attractive to Hamilton.

Regardless if Hamilton stays or goes, Jackson will continue to call his own plays.

"Yes, I will,'' he said. "I don't know why I wouldn't. Until I get this organization where I need it to be, I need to continue to do what I've done in the past to play winning football. Obviously, we didn't do it as well this past year. Trust me, I've looked at myself, too.

"Hue Jackson has to get better as well as anybody has to get better. I don't run from that. I am not taking it off my head. I get how all of this works. I have been through these things before, and I know what we have to get done. I can see it. I just have to go make it happen."

Hue Jackson on Gregg Williams: 'I need growth as fast as I can get it'

Jackson acknowledged that other staff changes are coming, especially now that Gregg Williams has replaced Ray Horton as defensive coordinator.

"I don't think you can expect a whole new defensive staff, but I'm going to allow him to bring some guys who I think are going to help sell the message of what we are trying to create on defense,'' he said. "He's going to interview guys, and we're going to kind of go from there. Will there be changes? Yeah, there will probably be some changes. That's all part of it, too."

Other coaches may receive opportunities too. If Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub gets the Chargers or Broncos head coaching jobs, he might try to hire Browns special teams coordinator Chris Tabor for a similar post.

"I am still looking at everything to be very honest with you,'' said Jackson. "I'm not done [evaluating]. This is a thorough evaluation of our staff. I'm going to do this brick by brick. Everybody kind of knows where they are and where I am. There could potentially be more changes. There could be more changes because guys have better opportunities. There could be more changes because I think something is going to improve us and make us better.''

Jackson acknowledged that these are hard moves to make.

"When I set out to take this job, I told you my expectation was I was going to win here, and I am going to win here,'' he said. "In order to do that, we have to and I have to make some tough decisions as we move forward as to what is best for our football team. It's not personal. This is the business side of it. I've been through it before as an assistant coach and as a head coach so I know what that is like.

"It's about winning. You have to have vision, you have to have support when you get ready to make decisions and then you have to execute the decisions you have decided to make. These decisions need to come out right. Those are the decisions and the chances you have to take in this profession."

Jackson promised that he thought long and hard about the continuity factor.

"Wow, it was huge,'' he said. "I know what it looks like and I know what it feels like for everybody here - 'Here are the Browns again changing out,' - but it is not about that,'' he said. "It's about trying to be the best we can be everywhere.

"I think everybody would be disappointed in me if I did not as the leader make tough decisions. You're damned if you do and damned if you don't. I don't worry about that.''

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Phoenix Suns: Live updates and chat Game 36

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Get the latest updates and analysis from the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 36 against the Phoenix Suns.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers face the Phoenix Suns on Sunday in Game 36 of the 2016 NBA regular season.

Follow along in the comments section as Joe Vardon brings you observations and analysis throughout the game.

Make sure to follow Vardon on Twitter.

Game 36: Cavs (27-8) vs. Suns (12-25)

Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

TV/radio: FoxSports Ohio; WTAM 1100 AM; 87.7 FM (ESP).

Cavs probable starting lineup: LeBron James, Kevin Love, Tristan Thompson, DeAndre Liggins, Kyrie Iriving.

Suns probable starting lineup: T.J. Warren, Marquese Chriss, Tyson Chandler, Devin Booker, Eric Bledsoe.

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

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Yahel Hill powers No. 3 Cleveland Heights past Warren Harding to match 2016 win total

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Cleveland Heights took another step in its transformation from a season ago, defeating Warren Harding during the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.

BEREA, Ohio – The mentality is starting to change at Cleveland Heights.

At least that is what coach Jeremy Holmes hopes is the case for his boys basketball team.


His Tigers (7-2) took another step in their transformation from a season ago, defeating Warren Harding (4-6) on Sunday during the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace. Cleveland Heights’ 69-64 win matched last season’s victory total.


Holmes stood in a hallway at BW as St. Vincent-St. Mary players passed by. A year ago, STVM handed the Tigers one of their losses in a 7-14 year.


“Our team was sophomore dominated last year, and now they’re juniors,” Holmes said. “They’ve just grown up.”


He pointed to point guard, where Yahel Hill just produced 30 points in a spot shared with Javon Roberts.


“Javon, what he brings doesn’t show up in that stat sheet a lot,” Holmes said, “but he doesn’t turn the ball over a lot.”


As for Hill?




“He’s grown up a lot,” Holmes said. “We used to mess with him a lot last year, call him a little boy and stuff. But he’s become a young man and is fun to watch. He does so much for us. I don’t know if he came out of the game.”


Hill spent his Sunday afternoon charging his 6-foot frame into a Harding defense that included 6-8 Derek Culver and football standout Lynn Bowden.


Culver scored 16 points and blocked a few shots, as Hill challenged him with drives to the hoop. Bowden scored a team-high 17 points, receiving game MVP honors.


The nod for Cleveland Heights went to Hill.


“I’m just keeping it simple,” he said. “We all know our roles and are playing together.”


Grayson Green and Jaylen Harris each added 13 points. Junior guard Keith Jackson added 11 points, as Cleveland Heights took control with a 19-9 third quarter.


The Tigers remained in front from early in the second half until the buzzer, and utilized a charge drawn by Harris to clinch victory.


This one added to a resume that includes victories against St. Ignatius and Cornerstone Christian. Harding, despite its record, has Culver committed to West Virginia after last season’s regional run.


Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

No. 6 STVM recovers from sluggish start to beat Euclid, 84-58

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STVM boys basketball rallied from a 7-point halftime deficit to beat Euclid, 84-58, at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic on Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio — A 32-6 third quarter helped STVM get past a slow start to defeat Euclid, 84-58, on Sunday in the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.

The Irish (6-3), ranked No. 6 in the cleveland.com Top 25, trailed by seven points at half against the Panthers (0-10). St. Vincent-St. Mary then started the second half on a 15-0 run. The Irish took control of the game with its full-court press and by scoring off of those turnovers early in the second half.


“It was not a done deal that the guys were ready to show up and play,” STVM coach Dru Joyce said. “But we did what we’re capable of. Honestly, you can’t wait. You can’t wait until the second half of a game to start playing. It’s going to catch up to us if we don’t correct it.”


Senior guard and Buffalo commit Jayvon Graves led the Irish with 20 points, 10 rebounds and had five assists. Jon Williams scored 17 points and had a team-high eight assists.




The Panthers opened the game on a 7-2 run and never trailed in the first half.


“We just didn’t come to play,” Joyce said. “They looked at their record and they didn’t respect the fact that they’re better than their record. When you don’t come to play, things like that happen.”


Euclid’s Daniel Williams had a game-high 24 points, including 14 in the first half.


STVM will travel to Trotwood-Madison on Saturday, and Euclid will play at Solon on Tuesday.

Kyle Korver to join Cavs today, unlikely to play against Suns

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Tyronn Lue said the Cavs had to add Kyle Korver because is one of the greatest shooters of all time.

PHOENIX -- Kyle Korver is set to land here at 1:30 p.m. local time and join his new Cavs teammates at their hotel, but is not expected (at this point) to play against the Suns tonight.

Cleveland acquired Korver from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Mike Dunleavy, Mo Williams, cash and a 2019 first-round pick. A Cavs spokesman said that, as of this morning, all the terms of the trade had not yet been met.

"I don't think he will be able to play tonight," Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said. "I don't think he can even come to the arena, as of right now, so, I'm not sure."

The Cavs practice in Phoenix Monday before flying to Utah. It's a safe bet Korver plays against the Jazz Tuesday.

Korver trade complete

Korver and Kevin Love share an agent (Jeff Schwartz) and Love said he had spoken to Korver over the past few days.

Lue said this was a move the Cavs had to make because Korver is "one of the best shooters of all time." Korver is a career 43-percent shooter from 3-point range.

"You get a guy like Korver, even though (Atlanta) had Jeff Teague and Millsap and Al Horford when they won 60 games, the biggest fear for us (was) Korver," Lue said. "Knowing you can't leave him, knowing you've got to be with him at all times because, you know, he'll shoot the ball and you've got to be aware, so, no matter how great the other three guys were, (the Cavs were) always focused in and locked in on taking Korver out of the game because he meant a big part to that team.

"So, if you can add a big addition like that to your team, you have to do it."


No. 4 Garfield Heights overcomes Pete Nance’s 29 points at Play By Play Classic

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The 6-foot-9 Revere junior and son of Larry Nance gave Garfield Heights, ranked fourth in the cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25, all it could handle.

BEREA, Ohio – Despite the difference on the scoreboard — Garfield Heights cruised to an 80-55 victory Sunday against Revere — Bulldogs coach Sonny Johnson let out a sigh.

His reason?


Pete Nance.


The 6-foot-9 Revere junior gave Johnson’s Bulldogs, ranked fourth in the cleveland.com boys basketball Top 25, all they could handle. Nance scored 29 points as he worked against a front young line that includes sophomore Brison Waller and junior Donovan Forte during the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace.


“I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was that good,” Johnson said. “Just watching him, I don’t see too many players in the country that are better than him. At 6-9 and growing he’s pretty special.”


The son of former Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Larry Nance used his post-up game and played with comfort on the perimeter. He knocked down two 3-pointers.


Pete Nance received team MVP honors for Revere (4-3). Point guard Marreon Jackson was named MVP for Garfield Heights (9-2) after putting up 26 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.




Jackson left Baldwin Wallace wearing a Toledo hat, sporting his college destination next season. He found out last week former teammate Willie Jackson is transferring there from Missouri.


“He surprised me,” the point guard said.


One showcase is down and another one awaits next week. The Bulldogs will play Akron Garfield, then travel Sunday to Dayton for the annual Flyin’ to the Hoop event and face Upper Arlington with Ohio State commit Dane Goodwin.


“It gets our young players used to the environment,” Jackson said. “Flyin’ to the Hoop is packed. It gets us ready for the tournament.”


Forte and Waller are two of them.


Both transferred from Rhodes, and Forte provided 16 points with eight rebounds during Sunday’s showcase.


“We’ve got two of the best guards in the state with Shawn (Christian) and Marreon,” Forte said. “I’ve been pushed.”


Christian added 21 points with six 3-pointers.




Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.


Ohio State basketball's Big Ten skid continues in 78-68 loss to Minnesota

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Ohio State dropped to 0-3 in Big Ten play with a loss at Minnesota on Sunday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State basketball almost won again. Almost. 

This is becoming a troubling theme for the Buckeyes: Start poorly, rally to make it close, but never get over the hump. So it went on Sunday night in a 78-68 loss to Minnesota in Minneapolis.

The Buckeyes (10-6, 0-3 Big Ten) are winless in conference play, with all three losses to Illinois, Purdue and Minnesota playing out in similar fashion. 

Minnesota's lead grew to as much as 18 in the first half, and yet somehow in the final minutes of the game Ohio State found itself in a familiar position with a chance to pull out a win in a game that once looked un-winnable. 

Trevor Thompson hit a pair of free throws (hitting both was a rarity until that point for the Buckeyes) that cut Minnesota's lead to 62-59 with 4:05 left. 

Ohio State made three field goals the rest of the way, but two of those game in the final 24 seconds when the game was already in hand. When the Buckeyes needed big buckets they instead turned the ball over, went 1-for-4 at the free-throw line and saw two key players in Jae'Sean Tate and Kam Williams foul out.

Minnesota (15-2, 3-1) closed out the game like a team surging to its 15th win of the season. 

Tate led Ohio State with 20 points. Thompson had 15 points and 15 rebounds. The Buckeyes shot 52 percent (11-for-21) from the free throw line and had 14 turnovers that led to 14 Minnesota points. 

Ohio State never led, a didn't look engaged in the game's first 15 minutes. Give the team credit for mounting some kind of comeback, but you can't start the way Ohio State started on Sunday night and expect to beat really anyone in the Big Ten. 

This has been the Buckeyes' style through three Big Ten games, and they're winless in Big Ten play because of it. 

What it means

Ohio State is off to a 0-3 start in Big Ten play for the first time under Thad Matta. The Buckeyes were inconsistent in the non-conference, but never posted back-to-back losses. Now they're on a three-game losing streak with its next two games at Wisconsin and at home against Michigan State. 

Slow start dooms Ohio State

The Buckeyes missed 10 of their first 11 field goals, turned the ball over seven times in the game's first 10 minutes and went into an 18-point hole by the midway point of the first half. 

An Akeem Springs 3-pointer gave Minnesota its largest lead of the game at 26-8 with 9:31 left in the half.

It was the worst Ohio State has looked to start a game all season, turning the ball over in different ways, looking all out of sorts on offense and getting out-worked by a Minnesota team that's been surging a little bit. Coming off an emotional loss to Purdue, after which the players lamented their inability to pull out tight games, this was exactly the kind of start Ohio State was trying to avoid. 

The Buckeyes climbed back into the game, cutting Minnesota's lead to six when JaQuan Lyle drove and kicked to Williams who hit a 3 to make it 33-27 with 1:36 left. But the momentum Ohio State built during a 19-6 run couldn't carry through the half. 

Minnesota scored the final five points of the half, two on a pair of free throws when it appeared Tate didn't realize how many fouls the Buckeyes had left to give. The Gophers led 38-27 at the break.

What's next?

Ohio State is back on the road next Thursday for a game against No. 13 Wisconsin. Tip-off from Madison, Wisc., is set for 7 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN2.

Shaker Heights scores 28 in the second quarter to upset No. 18 Central Catholic, 75-68

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Shaker Heights' boys basketball team had a 28-point second quarter on its way to a 75-68 win vs. Central Catholic on Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio — Despite nearly giving up a 14-point halftime lead, Shaker Heights had engouh poise and confidence to hold off Central Catholic and pull off an upset with a 75-68 win at the Scholastic Play By Play Classic at Baldwin Wallace on Sunday.

Four players scored in double figures for the Raiders (5-6), led by J’Van Beasley’s 20 points. Dale Bonner had 17 and Amani Redus had 16 off the bench, including 10 in the second quarter.


Central Catholic (5-4), ranked No. 18 in the cleveland.com Top 25, forced eight Shaker Heights turnovers in the third quarter and cut a 14-point halftime margin down to three.


“We work on being rock-solid with the basketball,” Shaker Heights coach Danny Young said. “We just called a couple of timeouts and said, ‘You’ve got to stop turning the ball over. We’ve got enough guards. It’s all guards. Just give it up.’”




The Raiders outscored the Ironmen, 28-11, in the second quarter led by 10 from Redus. Shaker Heights grabbed the lead for good with a 12-0 run in the middle of the quarter.


“We should have got that (Dec. 21) Garfield (Heights) game. I think it would have propelled even more wins,” Young said. “But this is a quality team. I’m going to use it. We’re going to watch video some times of it and revert back to it.”


Central Catholic’s Miryne Thomas had a game-high 27 points and 13 rebounds.


Shaker Heights will host Mentor on Tuesday, and Central Catholic travels to Trinity on Friday.

LeBron James and the 3-ball bail out Cavs in 120-116 win over Suns

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LeBron James scored 12 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter of the Cavs' 120-116 win over Phoenix.

PHOENIX -- The Cavs are off to a good start on this season-long, six-game road trip as far as roster moves and wins go.

But, like Friday's win over the Nets, Cleveland's 120-116 triumph over the Phoenix Suns on Sunday was perhaps more difficult than it needed to be. The Cavs led by as many as 22 in this one and were ahead comfortably by 16 when the third quarter started, but had to bail themselves out with timely 3-pointers late in the third and fourth quarters to survive.

And Kyle Korver wasn't even out there.

LeBron James scored 12 of his team-high 28 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Cavs. Kyrie Irving added 27 and Kevin Love contributed 25 points and 10 boards.

Eric Bledsoe, who like James is represented by Rich Paul, poured in 31 points.

The Cavs are now 28-8, which is their best record through 36 games since they went 30-6 in 2008-09.

James drained two key 3-pointers on consecutive possessions -- one from 27 feet with 3:11 left, and the second from 26-feet away with 2:46 to go -- for a 116-109 advantage. Iman Shumpert's 3-ball with 1:26 left made it 118-111, and it was Irving's 3 at the third-quarter buzzer that broke a 90-all tie and stunted some of the Suns' momentum after a furious comeback.

"Just confident in my ability," James said. "I work on my craft, I work on my shooting every day, so it's always an option I can go to, so I just try to mix it up. Playing the interior, playing transition, playing the exterior and I was able to knock a couple down."

With Michael Phelps, owner of an Olympic-record 23 gold medals (they weren't all draped around his neck) watching courtside, the Suns rattled off 15 fast-break points in the third and shot 16-of-22 for the quarter. They went on a 15-2 run over a four-minute stretch starting at 6:17 of the quarter, and the game was close throughout.

Phoenix (12-26) had a chance with the ball down by four with about seven seconds left but failed to score. Cleveland's last basket was a James layup off a strong drive with 44.3 seconds remaining.

James became the 14th player in NBA history to reach 10,000 field goals. He needed two baskets and got them both before three minutes were gone in the first quarter. The Cavs scored 41 in the first quarter, their Big 3 combined for 28 of them.

Among the culprits in the relative closeness of this game was turnovers. Cleveland committed 20, with James and Irving coughing up seven apiece.

On Friday, the Brooklyn Nets opened the fourth quarter on a 12-0 run to cut an 18-point deficit down to six, before Irving went off for 16 of his 32 points.

Cleveland drained 15-of-34 3-pointers Sunday, and that's before one of the best 3-ball shooters in league history joins the team.

Korver, whom the Cavs acquired Saturday in a trade with the Hawks, watched the game in the Phoenix arena but was not permitted on the Cavs' bench because the terms of the trade hadn't been met. Essentially, Mike Dunleavy was attempting to have the Hawks buy him out of his contract Sunday, according to ESPN, and had yet to report to Atlanta.

The Cavs hope Korver can practice Monday, but Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said he wouldn't hesitate to play Korver Tuesday in Utah even if he doesn't practice.

Devin Booker scored 28 for the Suns.

NEXT: The Cavs play in Utah against the Jazz at 9 p.m. on Tuesday.

Michael Phelps on LeBron James: 'Great ones always know how to get it done'

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Olympic royalty Michael Phelps talked to cleveland.com about what it's like to watch LeBron James play basketball.

PHOENIX --- The time read 11:18 on the game clock Sunday night when LeBron James finished off the most ferocious dunk of this game, turning the corner on his defender and attacking the left side of the rim for a two-handed slam.

As James was starting the trek back down the court to play defense early in the fourth quarter of the Cavs' 120-116 win over the Phoenix Suns, he pointed right at Olympic royalty Michael Phelps (seated courtside) as if to say "that dunk was for you."

"Just recognizing greatness," James explained afterwards.

Funny, but that's why Phelps was at Phoenix's Talking Stick Resort Arena. To recognize James' greatness.

"I was talking with one of the kids next to me and we were saying there's something different," said Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history with 28 medals, 23 of them gold (hey, know anyone who wears No. 23 on his basketball jersey?).

"The great ones always know how to get it done, no matter what sport it is," Phelps told cleveland.com. "You take LeBron for example, no matter what, even in the fourth he just gets it done, you know?"

LeBron, 3-ball bails out Cavs

James scored 12 of his team-high 28 points in the fourth quarter. There was that dunk and a bullish drive to the hoop with 44.3 seconds left for Cleveland's final points. In between were too deep, clutch 3-pointers that put a little breathing room between the Cavs and feisty Suns.

Phelps, who was seated off to the left of the Cavs' basket for the second half with his wife, Nicole Johnson, said James actually looked at him twice. The first time was after the nasty dunk, the second after one of those key 3-pointers, which came on consecutive possessions at the 3:11 and the 2:46 marks.

"He hit the 3 and he looked over again, it was funny," Phelps said. "He definitely played well. It's always fun watching what they do, I've watched Steph (Curry) here too."

Phelps and James developed a relationship from several past Olympics, beginning in 2004 when the swimmer stockpiled six golds at the Athens games, while James and Team USA basketball were disappointed with a bronze.

It was gold for James and Team USA in 2008 and 2012, while Phelps raked in eight golds in the Beijing pool (2008) and four more in the 2012 London games.

Phelps now has a friendship with Kyrie Irving, too, built over last summer at the 2016 Rio games -- where Irving collected his first gold with Team USA and Phelps won five. Irving scored 27 points Sunday and visited momentarily with Phelps outside the Cavs' locker room after the game.

Phelps, 31, reiterated to cleveland.com that he is retired from Olympic swimming, though he's said that before. He and his wife make their home in the Phoenix area.

James and Phelps were last together in December in New York for Sports Illustrated's annual awards gala -- James was named the 2016 Sportsperson of the Year and Phelps was honored as the greatest Olympian of all time.

LeBron, Phelps together for SI gala

James said the two didn't get a chance to talk then. Like Irving, James and Kevin Love (who won gold with James in 2012) stopped to chat with Phelps on his way out of the locker room.

"You built that relationship as Olympians so, it's always funs to catch up with the boys and watch what they do," Phelps said. "Those guys are always at swim meets, so it's enjoyable for me to come watch the boys."

Cleveland Cavaliers overcome poor third quarter and Kevin Love makes pair of winning plays late: Fedor's five observations

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While head coach Tyronn Lue appeared frustrated with his team getting complacent in the third quarter, the Cavaliers made the clutch plays late to open the longest roadtrip of the season with two straight wins.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- For the second consecutive game against one of the NBA's bottom feeders, the Cleveland Cavaliers built a big lead and started "messing around," needing a strong close to avoid what would've been a stunning loss.

"We got two games now where -- Brooklyn really fought against us and played us really hard down the stretch and same thing with Phoenix tonight," Kevin Love told reporters in the locker room following a 120-116 win against the Phoenix Suns. "We figure we will see that the rest of this roadtrip."

While head coach Tyronn Lue appeared frustrated with his team getting complacent in the third quarter, the Cavaliers made clutch plays late to open the longest roadtrip of the season with two straight wins. 

Here are five observations:

Forgettable quarter - The Cavs knew it going into the game. The Suns ranked second in the NBA, averaging 18.7 points off turnovers.

That helps explain the dreadful third quarter, as the Cavs committed five turnovers, which the Suns turned into 10 points.

LeBron James had three of those miscues. Kyrie Irving had the other two. And when the mistakes happened, the Suns raced up the court quickly, recording 15 fastbreak points.

"We had some turnovers, all of them by me and Kyrie. Primary ball handlers," James told reporters. "We'll be much better. They stepped up the pressure a little bit more in the third quarter, they got us to extend our offense a little bit more."

The rapid pace helped Phoenix shoot 16-of-22 (72.7 percent) from the field, including 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. The Suns outscored the Cavs in the period, 37-24. 

While it was most egregious in the third, turnovers were an issue all night. The Cavs committed 20, which the Suns turned into a whopping 27 points. James and Irving each had seven.

Going iso - Lue has spoken in the past about being OK with his team's propensity to resort to isolation basketball.

With Irving and James it can be a ruthless approach against any defense with the duo's ability to seemingly get any shot they want at anytime, especially when opponents switch.

It often works, with the Cavs entering the night as the league's fourth-highest scoring team. But Lue made a point of clarity on Sunday.

"When we're running the sets to get our guys to their spots and their positions, that's different than dribbling down and just holding it for the whole time and taking shots," he said. "That made it tough on our offense. Floor balance wasn't right and we also turned the ball over a little bit. If we don't run the right stuff and get to our spots and positions, it makes it tough. We've got to be better."

It's another thing that helped Phoenix stay in the game.

The Cavs finished with just 15 assists on 44 made shots. Irving had a team-high seven while James chipped in with four. It's been a theme for the Cavs to have their two best players controlling so much of the offense, but nobody else had more than one assist.

"We started to play one-on-one a little too much and you know we missed some shots and turnovers and they got out and ran, so it's a big piece of our team, it's a big piece of our game but we don't want to have too much of a steady diet of it," James said.

Even the young Suns, ranked last in assists per game, dished out 23 -- eight more than the Cavs.

It's now the fifth straight game failing to top 19 assists. 

Irving's run - After watching their 20-point lead evaporate, seeing it morph into just a three-point advantage to begin the final period, Lue couldn't afford his team getting off to a slow start.

That's why he began the fourth with James. But eventually a breather would be required. It came at the 8:51 mark with the Cavs clinging to a one-point lead.

With James resting, Irving started to take over.

Following a defensive stop, Irving buried a 3-pointer and then capped his 5-0 run with a slick layup that forced the Suns into a timeout.

A few minutes later, Irving drove to the basket, collapsed the defense and dished to Richard Jefferson, who canned a corner triple thanks to a friendly bounce on the rim.

Irving had a hand in all eight points during the spurt and when James re-entered at the 5:56 mark, the Cavs' lead had grown to six.

Starting roadie - In the presence of greatness -- Olympian Michael Phelps -- James, who watched Phelps live a few times in the past, put on his own late-game display of grandeur. 

Holding on to a two-point edge with around three minutes remaining, James buried a 3-pointer to push Cleveland's lead back to five. He followed that up with another triple, his second of the night.

Minutes later, he delivered what turned out to be the dagger, a driving layup.

Prior to the roadtrip, following a short-handed loss against the Chicago Bulls, a frustrated James talked about not knowing what to expect as the Cavs began this stretch. It gives the team a chance to grow together, learn about each other and get into a different mindset. But they have to take advantage. 

James has done his part in the first two contests, averaging 32.0 points on 25-of-37 (67.5 percent) from the field and 2-of-5 (40 percent) from beyond the arc to go with 8.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.

Things get much tougher Tuesday against Utah. 

Not to be lost - James' typical brilliance helped. So, too, did Iman Shumpert's clutch 3-pointer with 1:25 left. But Love's contributions shouldn't be overlooked.

Sure, his 25-point, 10-rebound night stands out. But two plays late were arguably his most important.

After James made back-to-back threes, the Suns kept charging forward. So James hoisted another step-back triple. Only this one didn't drop and might've been the stop Phoenix needed before one final surge.

Instead, Love corralled the offensive rebound. With the defense out of place, he kicked the ball back out to Irving who snapped a pass to a wide-open Shumpert. Three points. Seven-point lead.

"It feels great, man," Irving told reporters. "You just got to trust the pass. Everybody has that opportunity to make a shot, regardless of what the defense is doing. Guys are going to get open and it's our job to get them the ball."

Less than a minute later, on the Cavs' ensuing offensive possession, Love's tough screen against P.J. Tucker gave James just enough space to shake free, drive left of the line and finish at the rim.

Without the screen and attention Love commands because of his outside shooting stroke, the Suns might've forced James into another tough jumper as opposed to a lay-in.

Sometimes it's the little things that help determine the outcome of a tight game. And Love made two winning plays.

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