CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson battled Orlando's big men and then defended his rookie coach.At least some of the Cavaliers have John Beilein's back.Following a 93-87 loss to the Magic — Cleveland's 11th loss in 12 games — Thompson said he was disappointed to learn that some of his teammates had anonymously criticized Beilein, the former Michigan coach hired by the Cavs to develop their young roster during a massive rebuild.Thompson said he was unaware of the report by The Athletic, which didn't identify three players who said they were unhappy because Beilein is treating them like they're still in college and that they've tuned out the 66-year-old coach.“It's not fair,” said Thompson, who grew more agitated the more he learned about the report.“I love coach Beilein,” Thompson said. "He's great for development and he understands that players have so much in them and he wants to get the best out of you. ... I'm thinking the guy is pretty good. I'm probably the smartest... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Orlando Magic spent last season climbing back to relevance. They're at it again.Terrence Ross scored 21 points, Evan Fournier added 18 and Aaron Gordon had a big dunk in the final 20 seconds to lead the Magic to their fourth straight win, 93-87 Friday night over the slumping Cleveland Cavaliers, who have dropped four in a row and 11 of 12.Orlando opened the season 2-6, but in winning five of six, the Magic, who had a 17-game improvement in 2018 after winning just 25 games the previous year, reached .500 for the first time.“It’s good we’ve gotten back there after the way we started, but time will tell how good we are,” said Ross, who made two 3-pointers early in the fourth. "We’ve got three tough games coming up that will test us.”The Magic face a brutal stretch over the next week, playing at Milwaukee and home against the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston.Collin Sexton scored 19 points and Cedi Osman 14 for Cleveland, which pulled within 90-87 on rookie Darius Garland's... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Terrence Ross scored 21 points, Evan Fournier added 18 and Aaron Gordon had a big dunk in the final 20 seconds to lead the Orlando Magic to their fourth straight win, 93-87 Friday night over the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have dropped four in a row and 11 of 12.Orlando, which opened the season 2-6, moved to .500 for the first time.Collin Sexton scored 19 points and Cedi Osman 14 for Cleveland, which pulled within 90-87 on rookie Darius Garland's jumper with 42.5 seconds left.The Cavs needed a defensive stop on Orlando's next trip, but instead they gave up a dunk on a baseline out of bounds play with just three seconds left on the 24-second shot clock to Gordon, who managed to get free in the lane and scored over Tristan Thompson.On Cleveland's next possession, Larry Nance Jr. threw away the ball trying to hit Sexton on the opposite wing, ending the Cavs' last chance at a comeback. Cleveland was without star forward Kevin Love, who has been battling a flu bug the past few... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Koby Altman has some extra job security as he rebuilds the Cavaliers.Cleveland signed its general manager to a long-term contract extension Friday, making him the first GM since Dan Gilbert bought the team in 2005 to receive a second deal.The Cavs did not release terms.The 37-year-old Altman signed a three-year contract in 2017, not long after he took over on an interim basis when the club parted with previous GM David Griffin, who guided the Cavs to an NBA title in 2016."Koby has been a culture-driver and an innovator who has built a fresh, new foundation and environment for our front office and team that inspires everyone involved," Gilbert said. "He is a passionate leader who is executing a very dynamic, strategic plan for the future of the team and our vision for growth and success."Gilbert has had four other GMs beside Altman since he bought the Cavs from Gordon Gund 14 years ago. Altman, who started with the club as a pro personnel manager in 2012, says he is "truly... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman has signed a multiyear contract extension.Details were not immediately available Friday. The 37-year-old Altman signed a three-year contract in 2017, not long after he took over when the club parted with previous GM David Griffin.Altman is the first GM to receive an extension under owner Dan Gilbert, who bought the Cavs from Gordon Gund in 2005.He will continue to oversee a rebuild that began when LeBron James left as a free agent in 2017 after leading Cleveland to its fourth straight NBA Finals appearance.The Cavs went just 19-63 during an injury-ravaged 2018-19 season. They are off to a 2-2 start this year under first-year coach John Beilein.Altman has been acquiring future draft picks. He's also orchestrated contract extensions for Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman has signed a multiyear contract extension.Details were not immediately available Friday. The 37-year-old Altman signed a three-year contract in 2017, not long after he took over when the club parted with previous GM David Griffin.Altman is the first GM to receive an extension under owner Dan Gilbert, who bought the Cavs from Gordon Gund in 2005.He will continue to oversee a rebuild that began when LeBron James left as a free agent in 2017 after leading Cleveland to its fourth straight NBA Finals appearance.The Cavs went just 19-63 during an injury-ravaged 2018-19 season. They are off to a 2-2 start this year under first-year coach John Beilein.Altman has been acquiring future draft picks. He's also orchestrated contract extensions for Kevin Love, Larry Nance Jr. and Cedi Osman.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Robin Lopez and Frank Mason III both scored 14 points to lead the Milwaukee Bucks over the Chicago Bulls 122-112 in preseason action on Monday night.Milwaukee didn't play most of its major contributors, including last year's league Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo, Eric Bledsoe and Khris Middleton.Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game that most of them had a good scrimmage on Sunday so he didn't want to play them in what was essentially a back-to-back stretch.All five of the Bucks' starters scored in double figures. Brook Lopez scored 13 points, Sterling Brown added 12 points and nine rebounds and Wesley Matthews scored 10.Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 16 points. Lauri Markkanen added 14 points, making 4 of 8 of his 3-point attempts.PELICANS 133, HAWKS 109Jrue Holiday led New Orleans with 21 points and Zion Williamson scored 16, including several highlight-reel dunks.Williamson, the No. 1 overall pick in June's draft, threw down his first preseason dunk, a tomahawk... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — John Beilein was out of bed before the sun came up and on his treadmill before 6 a.m. Monday.The oldest, first-time, non-interim coach in NBA history was too excited about his new job with the Cleveland Cavaliers to sleep in."This is great," the 66-year-old Beilein said, surveying the media day scene at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "I'm thrilled to be in this position. College basketball has been so good to me, but I just love this new change in my personal life."I'm not concerned about anything, I'm optimistic. We're going to have this incredible mindset all year long and we're going to represent the Cavaliers' history."Beilein took a leap of faith on May 13, signing a multiyear contract with Cleveland after spending 12 seasons — with two national championship game appearances — at Michigan.He compiled an 829-468 record in 41 years at the college level and is one of 14 coaches to take four Division I schools to the NCAA Tournament (Michigan, West Virginia, Richmond... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — High on a wall and across the courts from where John Beilein was sitting, the Cavaliers' basketball history stared the new coach in the face.He wants to make it richer."Look at all those banners up there," Beilein said, pointing toward reminders of the 2016 NBA championship, Eastern Conference titles and division crowns won by the Cavs — most of them in the past decade. "It's been done before. Why can't it be done again?"This basketball renaissance man is ready for his next recovery project.Saying he won't use the word "rebuild," Beilein was introduced Tuesday by the Cavs, whose surprising choice of the 66-year-old was met with skepticism only by those who haven't crossed paths with him over his more than four decades as a coach.Cleveland's expansive search ended last week with someone who has won at every level in college — most recently during a 12-year run at Michigan — and will now see if his team-first, family-oriented style can work in the pros."He's all... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — High on a wall and across the courts from where John Beilein was sitting, the Cavaliers' basketball history stared the new coach in the face.He wants to make it richer."Look at all those banners up there," Beilein said, pointing toward reminders of the 2016 NBA championship, Eastern Conference titles and division crowns won by the Cavs — most of them in the past decade. "It's been done before. Why can't it be done again?"This basketball renaissance man is ready for his next recovery project.Saying he won't use the word "rebuild," Beilein was introduced Tuesday by the Cavs, whose surprising choice of the 66-year-old was met with skepticism only by those who haven't crossed paths with him over more than four decades as a coach.Cleveland's expansive search ended last week with someone who has won at every level in college — most recently during a 12-year run at Michigan — and will now see if his team-first, family-oriented style can work in the pros."He's all the... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — John Beilein has coached at every level in college but says the Cleveland Cavaliers are his dream job.The 66-year-old Beilein, who turned Michigan into a perennial power during a 12-year run, was introduced Tuesday by the Cavaliers. Even before taking the podium, Beilein got to work with one of his new players, peeling off his suit jacket to rebound shots for forward Larry Nance Jr.Beilein doesn't view Cleveland's situation as a rebuild but rather a renaissance. At one point during his remarks, Beilein pointed to the 2016 NBA championship banner and others hanging along one wall at the Cavs' facility and said, "it's been done before, it can be done again."Beilein drew a large laugh when he was reminded he has never been fired by saying, "That's right."Beilein knows he has work to do with the Cavaliers, who went 19-63 last season.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CHICAGO (AP) — Whether it was the right time to leave Michigan for the Cleveland Cavaliers, John Beilein wasn't sure.One thing he had no doubt about was this: It was the right move to make.Beilein decided it was time to jump to the NBA and see if he can win on basketball's biggest stage after molding winners at the college level for 41 years."There's never a good time to leave," he said following the draft lottery in Chicago on Tuesday. "You can make a couple choices. You can leave too early or you can leave too late. You never know when to leave. This was an opportunity that has so much potential it was too difficult to pass up. It was the right thing to do."Beilein accepted a big challenge on Monday when he took the Cavaliers' job after 12 seasons at Michigan.The offensive whiz who re-established the Wolverines as national championship contenders will try to orchestrate a similar turnaround in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers won just 19 games in a stormy season following LeBron James'... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — John Beilein has spent a coaching lifetime taking ordinary programs and turning them into consistent winning ones.All in college.He's getting his NBA shot.The Cavaliers ended a monthlong search Monday by hiring Beilein, a 66-year-old offensive mastermind who made Michigan a perennial powerhouse and now takes over a rebuilding project in Cleveland. Beilein got a five-year deal with the Cavs, who believe he can make the successful leap from campus.Beilein's signing is somewhat surprising given his age, lack of pro experience and because the Cavs, who have had six previous coaches since 2009, had been speaking almost exclusively with younger NBA assistants during their interview process.Beilein isn't the safest pick or the sexiest, but Cavs general manager Koby Altman said he precisely fits the coaching profile he wanted."We interviewed several strong and talented candidates who, no doubt, will get an opportunity to become an NBA head coach somewhere down the line," Altman... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — After handing out sneakers, signed balls and other gifts to fans, the Cleveland Cavaliers gathered one last time after the fourth-worst season in franchise history ended and took photos with adored teammate Channing Frye, whose retirement triggered a three-day celebration.Losing usually doesn't look like this.There were smiles and hugs as a group that never splintered during a taxing season that ended two months earlier than the previous four bonded as brothers. Later, in a pin-drop quiet locker room, coach Larry Drew urged the Cavaliers to reflect and challenged each "to come back a different player."Then, Drew, who doesn't know if he himself will be back, offered thanks."I understand how difficult the season was with everything that took place," said Drew, who took over seven games in following Tyronn Lue's firing. "But they stayed professional and they kept working hard, and I just wanted to let them know how much I appreciated it."And with that, an offseason of uncertainty... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Larry Drew guided the Cavaliers through a stormy season sprinkled with injuries, losing streaks and NBA lottery dreams.The 61-year-old coach juggled a revolving roster, pushed his young team while keeping things fun and focused and had a hand in rookie guard Collin Sexton's startling development.Drew earned widespread respect from players and peers.However, he might not get another season.On Sunday, Drew said he has had no conversations with Cleveland's front office about his future, and there's a strong sense around the team that he will coach his final game Tuesday, when the Cavaliers conclude their season against the Charlotte Hornets, who need to beat Cleveland and Orlando for any chance at the postseason.The Cavaliers' hopes — and their four-year streak in the Finals — ended last July, the moment LeBron James chose Los Angeles for his next act.But while Drew is likely nearing a finish with the Cavs, the appreciation for him remains."He did a fantastic job, especially... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tristan Thompson's strong season has stalled.Cleveland's starting center could miss a month after spraining his left foot in Monday night's 108-92 loss at Milwaukee. Thompson has been playing at an All-Star level and has been one of the few bright spots for the struggling Cavaliers, who are 6-21 and already missing star forward Kevin Love.Thompson got hurt in the third quarter when he twisted his foot while landing on the foot of Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon. Thompson tried to stay in the game before signaling to Cleveland's bench that he needed to come out. He did not return.Afterward, Thompson didn't think his injury was too serious."I just fell forward on it, it'll be all right," he said. "It happens when you're rebounding and the little guys are down there. It's part of the game. I'm just glad I was able to walk off on my own two feet."Thompson underwent further tests on Tuesday, which confirmed the sprain. The Cavaliers said he will be out a minimum of two weeks, and... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — This painful season isn't subsiding for the Cavaliers. If anything, it's getting worse.Cleveland, which already has the worst record in the NBA at 1-10, will be without yet another starter on Saturday night in Chicago after forward Cedi Osman was ruled out with back spasms.He's the latest Cavs player to join an injury list that includes All-Star forward Kevin Love, point guard George Hill and Sam Dekker, who began the season as a reserve but moved into the starting lineup because of all the injuries.Throw in a coaching change, some off-court drama and this Cleveland season is sinking fast.Osman was forced to leave Wednesday's loss to Oklahoma City in the first quarter, and the Cavs were hoping rest would allow him to face the Bulls. However, coach Larry Drew said Osman will sit out against the Bulls "and we'll see how he is after the game tomorrow."The rash of injuries has put even greater stress on Drew, who took over after Tyronn Lue was fired following a 0-6 start. Drew... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers made another move in their post-LeBron James makeover, signing free-agent guard David Nwaba to a one-year contract.The deal is for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million.The 25-year-old Nwaba played for Chicago last season, averaging 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 70 games. The 6-foot-4 guard made 21 starts.A solid defender, he'll give the Cavs backcourt depth and provide coach Tyronn Lue with more help as the team rebuilds following James' departure this summer as a free agent.Nwaba will be reunited in Cleveland with former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, who came to the Cavs in a trade last season.Nwaba agreed to sign with the Cavs last month, but the sides needed time to complete the deal.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cavaliers made another move in their post-LeBron James makeover, signing free-agent guard David Nwaba to a one-year contract.The deal is for the veteran's minimum of $1.5 million.The 25-year-old Nwaba played for Chicago last season, averaging 7.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 70 games. The 6-foot-4 guard made 21 starts.A solid defender, he'll give the Cavs backcourt depth and provide coach Tyronn Lue with more help as the team rebuilds following James' departure this summer as a free agent.Nwaba will be reunited in Cleveland with former Los Angeles Lakers teammates Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson, who came to the Cavs in a trade last season.Nwaba agreed to sign with the Cavs last month, but the sides needed time to complete the deal.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball

CLEVELAND (AP) — A person familiar with the negotiations says free agent guard David Nwaba has agreed to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Nwaba, who played for the Chicago Bulls last season, will join the Cavs once contract terms are finalized, said the person who spoke Wednesday to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because negotiations between the sides is are ongoing.Yahoo Sports first reported Nwaba's agreement.The 25-year-old Nwaba averaged 7.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 23.5 minutes in 70 games — 21 starts — for the Bulls. Chicago revoked its qualifying off to Nwaba, who received interest from Indiana as a free agent.At 6-foot-4, Nwaba is a solid defender and better-than-average shooter who will likely join Cleveland's rotation and give coach Tyronn Lue depth as the Cavs try to stay competitive following LeBron James' exit as a free agent.Nwaba previously played with the Los Angeles Lakers and in Cleveland will be reunited with former teammates Jordan Clarkson and Larry Nance Jr.___For more AP NBA coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball