CLEVELAND (AP) — James Harden scored 55 points — 20 in the fourth quarter — and Russell Westbrook added 23 points as the Houston Rockets withstood an unexpected scare from Cleveland and held on for a 116-110 win Wednesday night over the free-falling Cavaliers, who have lost eight straight and 14 of 15.Harden matched Kyrie Irving's arena record for points in a game, and his fourth with 50 or more this season bailed out the Rockets, who allowed the Cavs to score 24 straight points in the second half. Cleveland was still up 108-107 when Harden, who came in leading the NBA in scoring at 38 points per game, dropped a floater in the lane. After a turnover by Cavs guard Jordan Clarkson, P.J. Tucker hit a 3-pointer from the corner and Clint Capela had a dunk following another Cleveland miscue.The inexperienced Cavs crumbled in the final minute, making three turnovers.Capela added 13 rebounds for Houston, which figured to have an easy time with the Cavs, who are struggling under first-year coach... [More]

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]

Preseason numbers often mean almost nothing. Rotations are unusual, starters rarely play much, and few if any teams are putting a premium on winning games.As such, it's tough to glean much from exhibition stats.But what the Boston Celtics and New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson — the No. 1 pick in this year's draft — have been doing so far in the preseason certainly stands out.The Celtics are 3-0 after beating Cleveland on Sunday — and have put together a huge run in all three of those games. The latest was a 50-17 spurt against the Cavaliers, a game that was close for most of the first quarter before Boston built what eventually became a 54-point lead.Boston's other big runs of note in this preseason were a 41-17 stretch last Sunday against Charlotte, and opening the game with a 29-4 burst at Orlando on Friday. On top of the 50-17 run against the Cavs, they added a 26-8 run in the fourth quarter as well.No matter who the Celtics have on the court, defense has been the constant. Boston is... [More]

Preseason numbers often mean almost nothing. Rotations are unusual, starters rarely play much, and few if any teams are putting a premium on winning games.As such, it's tough to glean much from exhibition stats.But what the Boston Celtics and New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson — the No. 1 pick in this year's draft — have been doing so far in the preseason certainly stands out.The Celtics are 3-0 after beating Cleveland on Sunday — and have put together a huge run in all three of those games. The latest was a 50-17 spurt against the Cavaliers, a game that was close for most of the first quarter before Boston built what eventually became a 54-point lead.Boston's other big runs of note in this preseason were a 41-17 stretch last Sunday against Charlotte, and opening the game with a 29-4 burst at Orlando on Friday. On top of the 50-17 run against the Cavs, they added a 26-8 run in the fourth quarter as well.No matter who the Celtics have on the court, defense has been the constant. Boston is... [More]

Preseason numbers often mean almost nothing. Rotations are unusual, starters rarely play much, and few if any teams are putting a premium on winning games.As such, it's tough to glean much from exhibition stats.But what the Boston Celtics and New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson — the No. 1 pick in this year's draft — have been doing so far in the preseason certainly stands out.The Celtics are 3-0 after beating Cleveland on Sunday — and have put together a huge run in all three of those games. The latest was a 50-17 spurt against the Cavaliers, a game that was close for most of the first quarter before Boston built what eventually became a 54-point lead.Boston's other big runs of note in this preseason were a 41-17 stretch last Sunday against Charlotte, and opening the game with a 29-4 burst at Orlando on Friday. On top of the 50-17 run against the Cavs, they added a 26-8 run in the fourth quarter as well.No matter who the Celtics have on the court, defense has been the constant. Boston is... [More]

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]

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]

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) — Star forward Kevin Love will rest his surgically repaired left foot when the Cleveland Cavaliers face the Detroit Pistons.Love still isn't ready to play in back-to-back games and with Cleveland scheduled to host Orlando on Sunday, the team is remaining conservative with his minutes and won't play the 30-year-old in Saturday's matchup with the Pistons.Love scored 26 points in 28 minutes in Thursday's win against the New York Knicks — his fourth straight game.The Cavs have steadily increased Love's playing time since he came back from the operation, which kept the five-time All-Star out of 50 games. He scored 32 points against Memphis in his fourth game since returning.Love is averaging 18.6 points and 10.7 rebounds in 10 games this season.Love's absence combined with Tristan Thompson (foot) and Ante Zizic (concussion) out will make it tough for the Cavs to handle Pistons center Andre Drummond.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Love relaxed on the beach under the warm Caribbean sun during the All-Star break.He hopes it finally shines on him and the Cavaliers in the second half of a depressing, gloomy season.Offering optimism about his future and Cleveland's, Love returned to the practice floor with his teammates on Wednesday following the league's annual midseason celebratory interruption.The five-time All-Star recently came back after missing more than 50 games following foot surgery. He was rested for the Cavs' final game against Brooklyn — part of his recovery plan — before the break, but Love said he plans to play Thursday against Phoenix and intends to build up his minutes over the next few weeks. Cleveland has 24 games left."I think you'll see me more on a steady basis and not miss games after the break, I'm hoping," said Love, who has played in just two games since November. "So just continue to improve the minutes and make sure that I'm feeling good and go from there."With... [More]

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio (AP) — Kevin Love's return to the Cavaliers could be days away.The All-Star forward, who has only played four games this season, took part in a full contact, 5-on-5 scrimmage on Thursday, a major step in his recovery from left foot surgery."He actually did pretty well," Cavs coach Larry Drew said following the encouraging workout. "Moved around really well. Got a little winded, which is expected. It's the first time he's really been in a contact situation where we actually went up and down and there was actual contact. I thought he moved really well, shot the basketball well."Love has been out since late October after undergoing surgery on his left foot, which he injured in Cleveland's exhibition opener against Boston. The 30-year-old tried to play through the pain early in the regular season before doctors recommended surgery.The Cavs have been anxiously awaiting Love's return. Initially, the club hoped he would be back in the lineup by the end of December. Then his... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson will miss about two more weeks because of a sprained left foot, another blow to the NBA's worst team.The team provided the update Friday for the 6-foot-10 veteran, who has been sidelined for the past four games.The Cavs (9-40) have lost five straight and 17 of 18 entering Friday's home game against Miami.Thompson is averaging 11.5 points and a career-high 11.1 rebounds in 35 games. He has been one of the few bright spots for the rebuilding, three-time defending Eastern Conference champions.The Cavs could soon be getting back All-Star Kevin Love. He has missed most of the season following foot surgery but continues to progress and is doing more on-court rehab.Cleveland coach Larry Drew was encouraged by what Love was able to do during Friday's shoot-around, which consisted mostly of taking part in offensive drills."What I saw of Kevin this morning, I was almost in awe — how well he moved, how well he passed," Drew said. "I've been watching... [More]

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson will miss about two more weeks because of a sprained left foot, another blow to the NBA's worst team.The team provided the update Friday for the 6-foot-10 veteran, who has been sidelined for the past four games.The Cavs (9-40) have lost five straight and 17 of 18 entering Friday's home game against Miami.Thompson is averaging 11.5 points and a career-high 11.1 rebounds in 35 games. He has been one of the few bright spots for the rebuilding, three-time defending Eastern Conference champions.The Cavs could soon be getting back All-Star Kevin Love. He has missed most of the season following foot surgery but continues to progress and is doing more on-court rehab.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson will miss about two more weeks because of a sprained left foot, another blow to the NBA's worst team.The team provided the update Friday for the 6-foot-10 veteran, who has been sidelined for the past four games.The Cavs (9-40) have lost five straight and 17 of 18 entering Friday's home game against Miami.Thompson is averaging 11.5 points and a career-high 11.1 rebounds in 35 games. He has been one of the few bright spots for the rebuilding, three-time defending Eastern Conference champions.The Cavs, however, could soon be getting back All-Star Kevin Love. He has missed most of the season following foot surgery but continues to progress and is doing more on-court rehab.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEVELAND (AP) — Tristan Thompson and Rodney Hood will return for the Cleveland Cavaliers after missing time with injuries.The return of the two players will give a boost to the Cavaliers, who have the NBA's worst record (8-29) going into Wednesday night's game against the Miami Heat.Thompson has missed the last 10 games because of a sprained left foot. The 6-foot-10 forward is averaging a team-high 11.6 rebounds and is scoring 12 points a game.Hood has missed four games with a sore left Achilles tendon. He's averaging 12 points.Cleveland coach Larry Drew said forward Kevin Love, who had surgery on his left foot in November, will visit a doctor soon as he continues to rehab his injury. Drew said Love has begun shooting drills, but hasn't practiced. Love is expected to return in January.

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) — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson could miss a month with a sprained left foot.Thompson got hurt during Monday night's 108-92 loss in Milwaukee. He made 6 of 7 shots and added six rebounds in 18 minutes before he twisted his foot in the third quarter.The team says Thompson will be out for a minimum of two weeks, and his status will updated "as appropriate."He's averaging 12 points and a career-high 11.6 rebounds in 27 games.Thompson's injury is the latest setback for the struggling Cavaliers, who are still without All-Star forward Kevin Love. He's been out most of the season following toe surgery and is not expected back until sometime in January.Cleveland is 6-21 heading into Wednesday night's game against the New York Knicks.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports