CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Matthew Dellavedova is coming back to the Cavaliers. He won't recognize them.Cleveland re-acquired the popular, scrappy guard on Friday in a three-team trade with the Milwaukee Bucks and Washington Wizards.The Cavaliers also received forward John Henson and 2021 first- and second-round picks from Milwaukee, and a 2022 second-rounder from Washington. The Cavs sent guard George Hill and a 2021 second-round selection to the Bucks, and forward Sam Dekker to the Wizards. Milwaukee also got forward Jason Smith from Washington.Affectionately known to Cleveland fans as "Delly," Dellavedova was a key member of the Cavs' 2016 title team before he signed with the Bucks later that summer. He's not the same player, and the Cavs are far from being the same team, but his return will soften what has been a difficult season.Cleveland is just 5-20 and rebuilding in the wake of LeBron James' departure last summer."I'm glad my Aussie brother is back," Cavs center Tristan Thompson said following... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson has been fined $15,000 for making an "inappropriate gesture" to a spectator.The NBA announced the punishment Thursday.Thompson's action came at the end of the Cavaliers' 99-97 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Monday at the Barclays Center. Thompson finished with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith's bumpy-but-never-boring stay with the Cleveland Cavaliers is over.The team said Tuesday that the disgruntled forward, who had requested to be traded earlier this season, "will no longer be with team as the organization works with JR and his representation regarding his future."The Cavaliers will try to trade Smith. He will make $14.7 million this season, and $3.8 million of his $15.6 million salary for next season is guaranteed.For now, the 33-year-old Smith is without a team and that seems to suit him just fine. He has been dismayed with his reduced role as the Cavaliers rebuild in their first season since LeBron James left for the second time as a free agent.Smith's unhappiness had created another distraction in a stormy season for Cleveland, which is a league-worst 2-13 and has been blown out numerous times.The Cavaliers fired coach Tyronn Lue last month following a 0-6 start, and the team has been riddled with injuries, the most prominent to All-Star forward... [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) — Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue was answering a question about Boston's defense on LeBron James during a teleconference when he tripped the security system at his home.A piercing alarm sounded."Uh-oh," Lue said Thursday as he punched in a code to silence the screaming siren.While Lue and his home were clearly safe, and the light-hearted moment passed quickly, it was also symbolic of Cleveland's urgent situation.The Cavs are in a dangerous spot.Beaten for the third time in Boston in these home-sweet-home Eastern Conference finals, Cleveland will face its second elimination game of the postseason on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.Game 6 is for everything.Except, of course, if there's a Game 7 on Sunday in Boston.Fueled by fueled-up Boston fans who must feel some sort of birthright to see their cherished team play in the Finals, the youthful Celtics again showed zero fear or hesitation on their parquet floor on Wednesday night during a 96-83 win in Game 5 that was never in... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finals.Two games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA Finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star.Celtics coach Brad Stevens said all you can do against James is "make it as hard as you can.""LeBron is the best player of this generation and he's just maintained that because of his commitment to improvement," Stevens said. "He's always been an unbelievable physical player. He's always been a savvy player. And he's always had, just like the natural instincts to make the right basketball play along with his... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finalsTwo games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star.Celtics coach Brad Stevens said all you can do against James is "make it as hard as you can.""LeBron is the best player of this generation and he's just maintained that because of his commitment to improvement," Stevens said. "He's always been an unbelievable physical player. He's always been a savvy player. And he's always had, just like the natural instincts to make the right basketball play along with his... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — The Celtics expected to see a different LeBron James in Cleveland after the Cavaliers fell into a 2-0 hole to open the Eastern Conference finalsTwo games and back-to-back wins later , James has reminded everyone exactly why he's been to seven straight NBA finals.Boston will be back in the embrace of its raucous fans at TD Garden for Game 5 on Wednesday. But a team that has thrived on youth this postseason suddenly looks disoriented without a go-to player and opposite a more veteran squad that has found a new attitude thanks to the fuel being provided by its biggest star."My teammates are putting me in position and wanting me to be in attack mode and trusting me to put our guys in position to be successful," James said. "It's not about me. It's about the collective group, and I'm one of the byproducts of that."While the Cavs are certainly feeling rejuvenated, coach Tyronn Lue said it hasn't changed their sense of urgency."We still gotta play," Lue said. "We have veteran guys... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Celtics were loose, smiling and laughing. They weren't straining to hear each other speak and there were no obnoxious Cleveland fans heckling them.All was quiet as Boston worked out Sunday.Practice isn't an issue on the road in the postseason. Playing games is the problem.Less than 24 hours after a 30-point bludgeoning at the hands of LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics did some film study and critical evaluation.They were hard on themselves."I thought it was embarrassing," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said of Boston's 116-86 loss — and his own performance. "I thought we came out, the way I played, the way I performed, how not aggressive I was in the first half, I look at that as fuel to come out in Game 4 and be excited about it and be ready to play and ready to fight."Brown scored just 10 points — 13 below his average after two games in the series — and was in almost immediate foul trouble as the Cavs dominated while... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Celtics were loose, smiling and laughing. They weren't straining to hear each other speak and there were no obnoxious Cleveland fans heckling them.All was quiet as Boston worked out Sunday.Practice isn't an issue on the road in the postseason. Playing games is the problem.Less than 24 hours after a 30-point bludgeoning at the hands of LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Celtics did some film study and critical evaluation.They were hard on themselves."I thought it was embarrassing," Celtics guard Jaylen Brown said of Boston's 116-86 loss — and his own performance. "I thought we came out, the way I played, the way I performed, how not aggressive I was in the first half, I look at that as fuel to come out in Game 4 and be excited about it and be ready to play and ready to fight."Brown scored just 10 points — 13 below his average after two games in the series — and was in almost immediate foul trouble as the Cavs dominated while... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — They've survived amid turmoil for months, their season morphing into the NBA's most compelling reality show — or, as some have called it, spectacle.The must-watch Cleveland Cavaliers have been hardened by the nonstop drama around them. So it's not a surprise they're calm despite trailing the Boston Celtics 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals."We know what it takes," coach Tyronn Lue said. "We're down 0-2. No need to panic.""We know what we've got to do," added All-Star forward Kevin Love on the eve of Saturday's Game 3.The Cavs have been in dire straits before in the postseason.Just two years ago, Cleveland trailed 2-0 and then 3-1 in the NBA Finals to Golden State before coming back to win in seven games and end the city's 52-year championship drought. And back in the 2007 playoffs, LeBron James rallied the Cavs from a 2-0 deficit against Detroit, the hardwood king commencing his legacy by scoring Cleveland's final 25 points during a Game 5 road win.But while... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — LeBron James recovered quickly from his neck strain. There's still too much stress on his back.He's carrying the Cavaliers. It's a springtime tradition.As has been the case for much of his 15-year career, James has had to perform at an extraordinary level throughout these playoffs, most recently in Cleveland's Game 2 loss at Boston.Bouncing back after taking a blow to the jaw from Jayson Tatum's shoulder that violently twisted his head and sent a chill down the spines of Cleveland fans, James finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists.It was not enough, however. His teammates failed him and the Cavs fell into a 2-0 hole in the Eastern Conference finals.Kevin Love (22 points, 15 rebounds) helped, so did Kyle Korver (four 3-pointers) and Tristan Thompson (8 points, 7 rebounds). But too many other Cavs ranged from mediocre to awful.If Cleveland is to even the series at home, that has to change starting in Game 3 on Saturday."We have to ramp it up," said J.R.... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith reached out, placed his hands on Al Horford's back and shoved Boston's big man out of bounds.It was the only time Smith was on target.Smith's shoddy performance in Game 2 — he missed all seven shots and committed a flagrant 1 foul in 27 forgettable minutes — underscored a startling disparity between Cleveland's and Boston's starting backcourts that allowed the fearless Celtics to withstand a brilliant, 42-point effort by LeBron James and take a 2-0 series lead.Smith and point guard George Hill were outscored 41-3 by Boston's Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, who were faster, hungrier and maybe tougher."I don't think tougher," Smith said afterward, showing better defensive instincts than during the game. "They made shots, we missed shots at the end of the day. We had some good looks, they didn't fall. For them playing on their home court, they fell. It's a matter for us to bounce back, go home, try and get (win) two, even the series up and come back here."Smith will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith reached out, placed his hands on Al Horford's back and shoved Boston's big man out of bounds.It was the only time Smith was on target.Smith's shoddy performance in Game 2 — he missed all seven shots and committed a flagrant 1 foul in 27 forgettable minutes — underscored a startling disparity between Cleveland's and Boston's starting backcourts that allowed the fearless Celtics to withstand a brilliant, 42-point effort by LeBron James and take a 2-0 series lead.Smith and point guard George Hill were outscored 41-3 by Boston's Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, who were faster, hungrier and maybe tougher."I don't think tougher," Smith said afterward, showing better defensive instincts than during the game. "They made shots, we missed shots at the end of the day. We had some good looks, they didn't fall. For them playing on their home court, they fell. It's a matter for us to bounce back, go home, try and get (win) two, even the series up and come back here."Smith will... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — J.R. Smith reached out, placed his hands on Al Horford's back and shoved Boston's big man out of bounds.It was the only time Smith was on target.Smith's shoddy performance in Game 2 — he missed all seven shots and committed a flagrant foul in 27 forgettable minutes — underscored a startling disparity between Cleveland's and Boston's starting backcourts that allowed the fearless Celtics to withstand a brilliant, 42-point effort by LeBron James and take a 2-0 series lead.Smith and point guard George Hill were outscored 41-3 by Boston's Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier, who were faster, hungrier and maybe tougher."I don't think tougher," Smith said afterward, showing better defensive instincts than during the game. "They made shots, we missed shots at the end of the day. We had some good looks, they didn't fall. For them playing on their home court, they fell. It's a matter for us to bounce back, go home, try and get (win) two, even the series up and come back here."Thanks to... [More]

BOSTON (AP) — Put Kevin Love's name atop the list of the Cavaliers that walked out of Cleveland's 25-point Eastern Conference finals Game 1 loss to Boston a little staggered, but with an unbowed head.The reason: He's got a teammate by the name of LeBron James that's had a way of responding after lopsided playoff defeats.Just ask the Indiana Pacers.The Pacers stunned the Cavs at home in their first-round opener, rolling to an 18-point victory. In Game 2, James was all but unstoppable as he replied with a 46-point, 12-rebound performance."I expect him to have a big response," Love said of James on Monday. "He's always done it. Even before he came back to Cleveland and since I've been here he's always responded big. .... He's going to approach this game as one that he's going to have to lead and bounce back."Even if James does have a big Game 2 Tuesday night in Boston, he'll need some help — and the Cavaliers know it.Love said he thought the Cavs were a "little soft" in the first half in Game... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Rodney Hood got an unusual reaction when he apologized to his Cleveland teammates for refusing to check into Game 4 against Toronto.They laughed.The chaotic Cavaliers have dealt with bigger nonsense this season."They was like, 'Hood, that's not really a distraction' because of everything that they've been through this year," he said. "So they all took light of it. They understand, so it wasn't anything really."Hood added another distraction to a season full of them on Tuesday night when he waved off coach Tyronn Lue's request to replace LeBron James during the fourth quarter of the Cavs' blowout win over the Raptors. The Cavs were ahead by 30 when Hood, whose playing time has dwindled in the postseason, told Lue to put in Jose Calderon instead.Hood said he told Lue to "just let Jose play" and then regretted his decision."I should have known because I didn't play throughout the duration of the game that it was gonna look bad, but it wasn't (as bad) as people was... [More]

The "Death Lineup" breathed new life into the Golden State Warriors.It was yet another reminder: In the NBA playoffs, where even a brief downward slide can be enough to end a season, even the best teams won't hesitate when they feel a need to shake up their starting lineups.Desperate times in the first round sent Cleveland to desperate lineup measures. Toronto, the team that finished with the NBA's second-best regular season record, sought a spark by changing its starting five against the Cavs for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Utah showed Houston a new look Sunday in Game 4 of their West semifinal matchup, and while the Jazz slowed the high-powered Rockets at times they still fell into a 3-1 series deficit.And then there's the Warriors, who were coming off a big loss in Game 3 against New Orleans so they put their five best players — Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green — on the floor Sunday to start a game for the first time all season.... [More]