Cnotes Best Bets For Tuesday June 9th - MLB - NBA -NHL !

MLB MONEYLINE


MLB > (923) TEXAS@ (924) OAKLAND | 06/09/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the money line in All games in road games
The record is 19 Wins and 12 Losses for the this season (+16.32 units)


MLB > (919) KANSAS CITY@ (920) MINNESOTA | 06/09/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the money line in All games in all games
The record is 33 Wins and 23 Losses for the this season (+16.35 units)

MLB > (907) SAN DIEGO@ (908) ATLANTA | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using the money line in Home games when playing on Tuesday
The record is 4 Wins and 13 Losses for the last two seasons (-13.15 units)


MLB > (917) SEATTLE@ (918) CLEVELAND | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play AGAINST SEATTLE using the money line in All games in games played on a grass field
The record is 20 Wins and 31 Losses for the this season (-16.75 units)


MLB RUNLINE


MLB > (923) TEXAS@ (924) OAKLAND | 06/09/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play ON TEXAS using the in All games as a road underdog when the run line price is -130 to -115
The record is 12 Wins and 0 Losses for the this season (+12 units)


MLB > (919) KANSAS CITY@ (920) MINNESOTA | 06/09/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play ON MINNESOTA using the in All games in night games
The record is 21 Wins and 5 Losses for the this season (+15.15 units)

MLB > (921) HOUSTON@ (922) CHI WHITE SOX | 06/09/2015 - 08:10 PM
Play AGAINST CHI WHITE SOX using the in All games in all games
The record is 19 Wins and 36 Losses for the this season (-24.7 units)


MLB > (907) SAN DIEGO@ (908) ATLANTA | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play AGAINST ATLANTA using the in All games when playing on Tuesday
The record is 8 Wins and 25 Losses for the last two seasons (-20.45 units)


MLB TOTALS


MLB > (907) SAN DIEGO@ (908) ATLANTA | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play OVER ATLANTA on the total in Home games in night games
The record is 14 Overs and 3 Unders for the this season (+11 units)


MLB > (923) TEXAS@ (924) OAKLAND | 06/09/2015 - 10:05 PM
Play OVER OAKLAND on the total in All games against division opponents
The record is 20 Overs and 7 Unders for the this season (+13.15 units)


MLB > (905) SAN FRANCISCO@ (906) NY METS | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Play OVER SAN FRANCISCO on the total in Road games against right-handed starters
The record is 17 Overs and 5 Unders for the this season (+12.1 units)


MLB > (911) ARIZONA@ (912) LA DODGERS | 06/09/2015 - 10:10 PM
Play OVER LA DODGERS on the total in Home games in games played on a grass field
The record is 69 Overs and 40 Unders for the last two seasons (+28.85 units)


MLB TOP POWERLINE


MLB > (913) BOSTON @ (914) BALTIMORE | 06/09/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: BALTIMORE -110 BTB PowerLine: BALTIMORE -141
Edge On: BALTIMORE (31)


MLB > (925) MIAMI @ (926) TORONTO | 06/09/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: TORONTO -150 BTB PowerLine: TORONTO -175
Edge On: TORONTO (25)


MLB > (927) WASHINGTON @ (928) NY YANKEES | 06/09/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: NY YANKEES -119 BTB PowerLine: NY YANKEES -127
Edge On: NY YANKEES (8)


MLB > (929) CHICAGO CUBS @ (930) DETROIT | 06/09/2015 - 07:05 PM
Line: DETROIT -119 BTB PowerLine: DETROIT 112
Edge On: DETROIT (11)


MLB > (915) LA ANGELS @ (916) TAMPA BAY | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: TAMPA BAY -125 BTB PowerLine: TAMPA BAY -105
Edge On: TAMPA BAY (20)


MLB > (907) SAN DIEGO @ (908) ATLANTA | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: ATLANTA +109 BTB PowerLine: ATLANTA 125
Edge On: ATLANTA (16)


MLB > (903) PHILADELPHIA @ (904) CINCINNATI | 06/09/2015 - 07:10 PM
Line: CINCINNATI -140 BTB PowerLine: CINCINNATI -111
Edge On: CINCINNATI (9)


MLB > (919) KANSAS CITY @ (920) MINNESOTA | 06/09/2015 - 08:10 PM
Line: MINNESOTA -110 BTB PowerLine: MINNESOTA 156
Edge On: MINNESOTA (46)


MLB > (909) ST LOUIS @ (910) COLORADO | 06/09/2015 - 08:40 PM
Line: COLORADO +126 BTB PowerLine: COLORADO 192
Edge On: COLORADO (46)


MLB > (923) TEXAS @ (924) OAKLAND | 06/09/2015 - 10:05 PM
Line: OAKLAND -185 BTB PowerLine: OAKLAND -152
Edge On: OAKLAND (8)


MLB > (911) ARIZONA @ (912) LA DODGERS | 06/09/2015 - 10:10 PM
Line: LA DODGERS -160 BTB PowerLine: LA DODGERS 156
Edge On: LA DODGERS (91)

NBA FIRST HALF


NBA > (705) GOLDEN STATE@ (706) CLEVELAND | 06/09/2015 - 09:05 PM
Play ON CLEVELAND in the first half in All games when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season
The record is 20 Wins and 7 Losses for the this season (+12.3 units)

NBA Finals Game 2 Recap


Stephen Curry, the best shooter basketball has ever seen, smashed John Starks’ seemingly unbreakable mark of 11 3-pointers missed in an NBA Finals game, set back in Game 7 of the 1994 Finals.


Curry wound up 2-for-15 from beyond the arc, while Starks was famously 0-for-11 (2-for-18 overall), part of a deciding game that still lives in infamy in New York in blowing the franchise’s best chance for a title since winning in ’73.


It’s now indisputable that on Sunday night, with seemingly the entire country watching due to an early start and little else besides Game of Thrones and a Dateline doubleheader to pass the time, Curry did his best to fool the casual observer into wondering what the big deal was all about? MVP? More like MLC, most lacking conscience. Curry was off, bothered by Matthew Dellavedova’s ball-denial and a perimeter defense that was as impressive as anything on display this NBA season. Though it wasn’t all Delly – Curry helped considerably – the guy that ran away with the Most Valuable Trophy was 0-for-8 when defended by an Australian guard most deemed too unathletic and ordinary to consider out of college. Even in OT, there was nothing to be had from Curry to steal a game Golden State had no business being in.


As mind-numbing as that is, Curry is fortunate that unlike the former Knicks guard, he at least gets an opportunity to redeem himself. Not that he’s to blame for costing his team a 2-0 lead entirely.


First off, it’s 1-1, so a championship hasn’t been blown. Pump the brakes there. Beyond that, he was not the only one who performed well below expectations.


Curry was clutch in forcing overtime, turning an ankle-breaker of a handle into a sweet finger roll that improbably sent the game to an extra period.


After LeBron James missed a contested drive to the rim and Tristan Thompson’s tap-in went awry, the Warriors had a second opportunity to take Cleveland’s collective heart out of its chest, toss it callously on the ground and stomp on it. That was what Game 2 was supposed to be all about.


Killer instinct went out the window. To be fair, the fans at ORACLE, as they always seem to, did their part.


Golden State lost its way. Cleveland persevered in an arena where it became the fourth team in 51 games to find a way to win because it wanted more, which can’t happen in a home game during the league’s championship round. If you wondered whether NBA Finals experience would matter in a series where both coaches were rookies and most of the guys with rings wouldn’t play a single minute for the Cavs, you just got your answer.


Without Kyrie Irving available, this was supposed to be the game where the Warriors ran away with a win, leaving the Cavs to lick their collective wounds and promise to make the proper adjustments at home. You would’ve heard that old cliché that a series doesn’t really start until the home team loses so many times you would’ve lost count.


Instead, Klay Thompson got into foul trouble after being the only guy on the team able to get into an early rhythm. The Cavs turned around an early deficit and applied the defensive vice grip, slowing the game down to their desired pace. They got to loose balls. They clawed for the second chances. On a night where the atrocities typically committed by referees Scott Foster and Tony Brothers on a nightly basis were in full view, they ultimately didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Both teams caught breaks. In that sense, being terrible at their jobs hurt both sides equally.


As to why the Warriors, 8-point favorites and most everyone’s choice to win an unexpected championship this season, fumbled away Game 2, the easy answer lies in the math. If Curry makes two or three more 3-pointers, Golden State wins. If Marreese Speights can have back that missed bunny at the end of the third quarter, the Warriors would’ve been a bucket closer and may not have needed J.R. Smith’s nonsense to open the door.


The easy answer isn’t the right answer, though. Curry’s incredible Starks’ level futility isn’t why they lost. Klay Thompson scored 34 points, picking up some of the slack. The game was there to be had in spite of the often poor shot selection and inaccuracy, factors you live with because the greatest shooter the game has ever seen is simply like no other, someone worth trusting even in situations where you know he’s making the wrong choice. Curry should have done a better job getting to the rim instead of forcing looks that weren’t there on the perimeter, but that will become clear after watching film.


Equally frustrating was the fact a ball went through his legs after Draymond Green’s save of another blocked shot against James in the OT. It fell in line with other bad breaks that were ultimately self-inflicted. Remember that loose ball that Green and James got after where Dellavedova wound up with it and timeout was granted early? Harrison Barnes should’ve been on the floor, diving to contest possession. He wasn’t.


The Warriors shouldn’t have lost the rebounding battle so decisively (55-45), especially after winning it in Game 1. Because of a lack of purposeful movement, Golden State looked much smaller than the Cavs, who thrived in denying space and owning the war for 50/50 balls. No one could’ve watched Game 2 and determined that Cleveland didn’t work harder.


Golden State was taken out of its element on both sides of the ball. Unofficially, the Warriors passed the ball 217 times in Game 2, 86 times less, in an OT game, than their playoff average. Despite 9-for-27 shooting from the Cavs, the visitors managed to outperform GSW from beyond the arc, the first time that’s happened since March 24 at Portland, snapping a steak of 27 games. Despite their futility, more than 42 percent of the Warriors shots were from 3-point range, the second-highest attempted this entire postseason. They shot 3-pointers 47.4 percent of the time in Game 4 of the Rockets series, the only time they lost in the Western Conference finals.


Green didn’t have his first basket until late. Centers Andrew Bogut and backup Festus Ezeli were clearly outplayed by Timofey Mozgov. The Cavs wound up with 14 offensive rebounds, half of them coming from Tristan Thompson. LeBron shot 11-for-35 from the field, making only four buckets after halftime, and yet he’s being lauded. As he should be. James led his team.


So where does that take us entering Game 3? The Warriors have a flight and a grueling day of watching painful video to pump them up before a road atmosphere that promises to be daunting. I covered the last two Finals games that the Cavs played at home in 2007 and remember a raucous crowd that nearly drove a team that had no business being on the same floor with the Spurs to victory in back-to-back games. Both times, Cleveland lost to San Antonio by 3. Both times, the Cavs overachieved.


James is older now. Judging by Game 2, he leads the more driven bunch. Again, he’s stuck with the far less talented team. It’s on Golden State to make the Cavs feel that difference. As far as the spread goes, Cleveland being a 1-point favorite is a nod to James, because the Warriors have only closed as an underdog once during these playoffs, winning that game in Houston 105-80.


To call Game 3 a virtual pick’em and still favor Golden State to win the series is contradictory, but as usual, oddsmakers are trying to make sense. It remains to be seen how the Warriors respond to such glaring disappointment, especially since Game 3 will see a venue change fueled by a drastic difference in crowd support. If they take on the us-against-the-world mentality that was clearly missing in Game 2, fighting for loose balls and diving without care, the more talented Warriors should win.


It would help if Curry shoots straight, too. For now, uncertainty reigns among both of those factors.


Betting Notes
1st Quarter: Cavaliers covered as two-point underdogs, total went over 50


1st Half: Cavaliers covered as 4.5-point underdogs, total stayed under 100


2nd Half: Cavaliers covered as 6 ½-point underdogs, total went under 100


Team Totals: The Cavaliers (96) and Warriors (104) both went ‘under’ their numbers


Series Update
Just like the teams will adjust, so will the oddsmakers.


(Opening Odds per Sportsbook.ag before Game 1 in parentheses)
NBA Finals


Golden State vs. Cleveland (Series tied 1-1)
Warriors (-205) -220
Cavaliers (+175) +185


NBA Finals - Exact Game Props


(Opening Odds per Sportsbook.ag before Game 1 in parentheses)
Golden State vs. Cleveland
5 Games Warriors Win (13/5) +350
6 Games Warriors Win (5/1) +240
7 Games Warriors Win (16/5)+180


5 Games Cavaliers Win (17/2) +1000
6 Games Cavaliers Win (18/5) +450
7 Games Cavaliers Win (13/2) +550

Game 3 - Warriors at Cavaliers


June 9, 2015


For the first time in NBA Finals history, each of the first two games weren’t decided in regulation. The Warriors held off the Cavaliers in the opener, but Cleveland melted down for the second straight game by blowing an 11-point lead in the final three minutes of regulation. However, the Cavaliers did just enough to gain a split at Oracle Arena by knocking off the Warriors in overtime, 95-93.


Cleveland’s defense stepped up for the second consecutive contest against the team that owned the league’s best regular season record. The Cavs limited the Warriors to 98 points in regulation of Game 1, followed by an 87-point effort on the defensive effort through 48 minutes of Game 2. Cleveland failed to pick up the cover in the opener after getting outscored, 10-2 in overtime as six-point underdogs, but cashed outright as 7 ½-point ‘dogs in Game 2, the ninth straight win for LeBron James in the playoffs after losing the opener of a series.


James conquered the battle of MVP’s, outscoring current MVP Stephen Curry, 39-19, as Cleveland’s king put together a triple-double by pulling down 16 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists. Curry is coming off a performance to forget, missing 13 of 15 attempts from long distance, while hitting five of 23 shots from the floor. The one player who overshadowed both James and Curry in overtime was the man who replaced the injured Kyrie Irving as Matthew Dellavedova knocked down a pair of free throws to give the Cavs a 94-93 advantage and the lead for good heading back to Cleveland for Game 3.


Neither team shot well in Game 2 as the Cavs found a way to pick up their first NBA Finals victory in franchise history by shooting 32% from the floor. The key to gaining the split in Game 2 for David Blatt’s club was outrebounding Golden State, 55-45, while the Warriors’ bench contributed only 17 points in Sunday’s loss, half the amount than they put up in the opener.


Heading back to Quicken Loans Arena should benefit several Cavaliers who struggled to score on the road in the first two games. Tristan Thompson managed four points in the opening two contests in Oakland, but the former lottery pick has scored in double-figures in three straight home games, including a 16-point, 10-rebound effort in the series clincher against Atlanta. Iman Shumpert is averaging 13.6 points per game in the last five contests at the “Q,” as the former Knick looks to bounce back after scoring only 13 points in the first two games against Golden State.


The NBA Finals are tied at 1-1 after two games for the seventh straight season, which sets up for the pivotal Game 3 on Tuesday. In six of the past seven NBA Finals, the road team won Game 2, as that hasn’t worked out well for that club heading home in Game 3. Taking away San Antonio in 2013 who won Game 2 at home, teams that lost the second game of the NBA Finals at home since 2009 actually have won four of five times in Game 3, including the Spurs last season against James and the Heat.


Since James is the most important player on the court, it’s only reasonable to highlight his recent playoff history in series tied at 1-1. James has seen success in this situation, posting a 7-4 record (3-1 at home) since 2010 in Game 3’s after splitting the first two games, including a 2-2 mark in the NBA Finals. Twice James has captured a road victory in Game 2 of the NBA Finals, but has split in two opportunities at home, losing to San Antonio last season and beating Oklahoma City in 2012.


The total for Game 3 opened at 194 ½, which is the lowest number in the series and almost a 10-point drop (204) since Game 1.


Did the oddsmakers adjust too much for the third installment?


VI NBA analyst Chris David answers, “Based on what we saw from both teams on Sunday, it’s hard to argue for an ‘over’ ticket especially if you believe the production level remains the same. I believe the change of scenery will help the Warriors offensively and the tendencies from Cleveland’s defense at home hasn’t been spectacular.”


“In seven games this playoffs, the Cavs have allowed an average of 97.3 PPG against three teams (Celtics, Bulls, Hawks) that don’t possess the same offensive caliber as the Warriors. The team total on Golden State is listed at 97 ½ points for Game 3 and I’m leaning to the ‘over’ based on what we’ve seen from them outside of Oracle Arena in the playoffs. The Warriors are averaging 108.5 PPG as visitors in the playoffs and that includes a terrible 89-point effort at Memphis in the second round. Barring another terrible shooting night, I expect Golden State to break triple digits.”


VI NBA expert Tony Mejia doesn’t believe Golden State’s MVP will flip the switch, “Curry takes the floor in Game 3 with pride fueling the normal factors that would follow one of the worst shooting nights of his career. He was historically bad, a top-five career-worst performance, but don’t expect a magic formula to suddenly change his fortunes. After shooting his previous playoff-worst from 3-point range, 2-for-11 in Game 2 against Memphis, he followed that up by going 2-for-10 after a venue change. He was 7-for-18 in Game 3 against New Orleans and 7-for-9 in the first road game of the Western Conference Finals at Houston, so it doesn’t take him long to get warm on an opposing rim. Regression to the mean is far more likely for the MVP, even on the road in Cleveland.”


Steve Kerr’s squad has been a coin-flip proposition in the role of a road favorite this postseason, compiling a 3-3 ATS record, including a pair of double-digit losses at Memphis and Houston. James is playing as a home underdog in the NBA Finals for the first time since 2007 in his first go-around with the Cavs, posting an 0-2 SU and 1-1 ATS record against the Spurs in the 2007 Finals.

Who does Finals format help?


June 8, 2015


The NBA Finals continues this week moving from the West Coast to Cleveland for Games 3 and 4. Game 5 will be played at Golden State, which is just the second time since 1984 that the league has gone back to the 2-2-1-1-1 format for the Finals. Last year it didn’t make a difference, as Miami split the first two at San Antonio, then the Spurs torched the Heat in South Beach, winning Games 3 and 4, 111-92 and 107-86. Of course, coming home for Game 5 was a treat, crushing the Heat, 104-87 to win the title in five.


The old 2-3-2 format didn't make any sense, with all the other playoff series the same -- then changing for the Finals. It wasn't always this way. The 2-3-2 change was instituted in an attempt to make series go longer, which would increase interest and TV ratings (in theory). They figured it was tougher for a team to win the first two games at home, then win two of the next three on the road to close out a series in five games. The league doesn't want five games, it wants six or seven.


Despite the 2013 series going seven games, it really didn't work often. Since 1994 there have only been four seven-game Finals. Over the last 16 years, the Finals have gone 5, 6, 5, 4, 6, 5, 7, 6, 4, 6, 5, 7, 6, 5, 7 and 5 games. Too many sweeps and five-game series, not exactly what television executives and ratings observers would like.


The 2-3-2 format was put into effect for the 1985 NBA Finals when the Celtics and Lakers met during the Bird/Magic years. Before that, the Finals had always been 2-2-1-1-1, which worked fine. In fact, from 1976-84 there were three 7th games in the Finals and five series that went six games. Since 1985 under the 2-3-2 format, there have been almost as many sweeps (4) as seven-game NBA Finals (1988, 1994, 2005, 2010, 2013). So much for changing the rules to get longer series!


Some players used to imply that the team with home court didn't even have an edge under the old format, being forced to play three road games in a row in the middle of the Finals. Not having home court appeared to help the Heat in 2012, getting a split in Oklahoma City after losing Game 1, then blitzing the young, wide-eyed Thunder with three straight home games. OKC's reward for having a better regular season record: Playing three of five NBA Finals game on the road.


That's what happened 11 years ago when the Pistons got a split in LA in the first two games, then came home and swept the middle three for the title. Nine years ago, Miami got back in the series, down 2-0, by sweeping the middle three at home to take charge on the way to winning a title, putting the pressure on Dallas for Game 6. Dallas returned the favor in 2011 getting a split in Miami before winning two of three at home.


When the Celtics defeated the Lakers in seven games in 1984 (the last of the original 2-2-1-1-1 format), they took a 3-2 series lead by winning the key fifth game at home in a blowout. A year later (1985) when the two met again, the Lakers won the fifth game at home to take a 3-2 series lead and went on to win the series under the new 2-3-2 format. After the series, Celtics star Larry Bird commented that he didn't like the format change, and didn't like the fact that the all-important fifth game was on the road even though his team had earned the home court via a better regular season record.


You can argue the same thing happened in 2006 when the Mavericks went up 2-0 at home, then had to play three in a row in Miami. The Heat won all three, including the pivotal fifth game, putting the pressure on Dallas. The Mavs surely would have preferred to come home for Game 5.


Not counting this current series, over the last 16 years the home team is 65-25 SU, 54-35-1 ATS in the Finals, while the favorite is 59-31 SU and 50-39-1 ATS. Recent results show the home team stepping up and getting the money, while the favorite often wins but doesn't always cover. In fact, from 2001-2004 the home team went just 10-10 SU/6-13-1 ATS in the Finals.


Defense often rules this time of the year. In 2013, the Spurs and Heat ranked 5th and 11th in points allowed during the regular season, while both were in the top eight in field goal shooting allowed. Three years ago, the Heat and Thunder were 4th and 5th in field goal shooting defense. In 2011, the Mavericks finished 6th and 10th in the NBA in points allowed, while in 2010 the Lakers finished 5th and 9th in the NBA in points and field goal shooting defense allowed. Cleveland hasn’t won a major sports title since 1964 (Browns), so sentiment might be with LeBron winning one for his hometown. Or are we seeing the birth of a young Warriors dynasty?

Cleveland believing an NBA title is near


June 8, 2015


CLEVELAND (AP) - High above downtown, there's no visible evidence of a painful 51-year professional sports championship drought - the longest for any major U.S. city.


Atop Terminal Tower, 42 stories over revitalized Cleveland, heartbreak and curses don't exist. Just a spectacular view.


Directly below the centerpiece of Cleveland's skyline, the city is undergoing a modern renaissance as heavy construction equipment transforms Public Square in advance of the city hosting the 2016 Republican National Convention.


Orange barrels line nearly every street. Pedestrians jam the sidewalks, all seeming to wear something with Browns, Indians or Cavaliers written on the front - or a LeBron James jersey. In the distance, the sun's reflection dances off the windowed atrium of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.


Behold a new, shining Cleveland, once dubbed the ''Mistake on the Lake.''


The changes are more than cosmetic. There's been a startling attitude adjustment among skeptical and cynical Cleveland fans, who hope for the best, expect the worst and have agonized through painful sports moments given dubious nicknames like ''Red Right 88,'' ''The Drive,'' ''The Fumble,'' ''The Shot,'' ''The Move,'' and ''The Decision.''


One man has transformed that. James has made Cleveland believe.


From the moment the Akron kid turned basketball king announced he was returning home, preaching togetherness to a fan base he spurned by leaving as a free agent for Miami in 2010, a new positive vibe has enveloped a place that often sees the glass not as half full, but broken.


And although the Cavs lost All-Stars Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving to season-ending injuries, James' brilliance and gritty contributions from unlikely players like Matthew Dellavedova and Timofey Mozgov have the team within three wins of an NBA title.


The Cavs are tied 1-1 with the Golden State Warriors heading into Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.


''Not only are we becoming a destination that people want to come to, but we potentially have a championship team,'' said Laura Kubinski, operations director of Cleveland Clothing Company, a hip downtown store. ''It's our time. It's about damn time for Cleveland to win a championship.''


Since the Browns won the NFL title in 1964, the city's three pro teams and a hockey club that merged with Minnesota in 1978 have completed 143 seasons without one finishing on top.


Close calls and runner-up trophies have scarred the locals. Something always cancels the parade.


If not injuries, it's Browns quarterback Brian Sipe forcing a pass and getting intercepted by Oakland's Mike Davis in 1981 (Red Right 88 was the play call). It's John Elway's 98-yard march in the 1986 AFC championship or Earnest Byner's muff at the goal line in Denver the next year. It's Michael Jordan's hang-in-the-air jumper over Craig Ehlo, owner Art Modell taking the Browns to Baltimore or James announcing South Beach would be his new home.


Or it's 1997, when cases of champagne and the World Series trophy were wheeled into, then out of the Indians clubhouse when Jose Mesa blew a save in Game 7 of the World Series.


The drought is ingrained in the citizenry's collective psyche - part of a Clevelander's DNA.


''I've only been around for 38 years of it,'' said Nathan Zaremba, standing outside Quicken Loans Arena after buying a new Cavaliers cap for his 6-year-old son, Milo.


Zaremba said Clevelanders know all the bad moments and experience them from the first day of their lives.


''In Cleveland, you never quite have that hope, but we're feeling pretty confident,'' he said. ''We're closer than we've ever been. And, we've got LeBron.''


Understandably, some Cleveland fans can't shake their disbelief. After all, they've been raised to repeat the phrase ''Only in Cleveland'' any time there's misfortune. But others remain proud, able to laugh at their own misfortune, dust themselves off and lose again. Some seem to relish the anguish.


''It's almost like a badge of honor,'' said Browns Pro Bowl tackle Joe Thomas. ''It's kind of funny, it's like, we're still the most die-hard fans in all of sports and we haven't had a championship in 50 years. Hopefully, these next couple weeks we won't be able to say that anymore.''


Cleveland's time could be near, if James can turn the punching bag for other cities into a title town.


As Kubinski looks out the door of her store, the thought of a parade down Euclid Avenue makes her eyes tear.


''I get goose bumps. It's emotional,'' she said. ''My dad was at the 1964 game when the Browns won. His dad took him to the game. For all of us, this is huge

NBA Game 2 draws best rating since '04


June 8, 2015


NEW YORK (AP) - The NBA Finals' Game 2 has drawn its highest television rating in more than a decade.


The short-handed Cleveland Cavaliers' overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night to even the series at 1-1 averaged a 10.5 rating on ABC. That's the best since the Pistons-Lakers series in 2004.


ESPN said Monday that the nearly 18.8 million viewers were up 26 percent from the 14.9 million for last year's matchup between the San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat.


Ratings represent the percentage of U.S. homes with televisions tuned to a program.

After Game 2 win, LeBron heads home


June 8, 2015


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - LeBron James is headed back home to Ohio. And if that seemed like a big deal last July, he can't wait to hear how it sounds in June.


Shortly after helping Cleveland pull out a 95-93 overtime victory over Golden State on Sunday night in Game 2 of the NBA Finals with 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists, James challenged the fans in Cleveland to be as noisy as the ones at Oracle Arena.


''I've heard our fans pretty loud before,'' he said. ''A couple instances my first postseason appearance was really loud, and me coming home against the Knicks at the start of the season was pretty good. But I know we can be much, much louder than any fan base in this league. I know they're getting ready, and I can't wait to see them.''


That comes Tuesday in Game 3, with the series tied at one game apiece. The only thing certain so far is that 48 minutes may not be enough. The first two games both went to overtime, the first time that's happened in the NBA Finals.


Some things to watch as the series shifts to Quicken Loans Arena:


LEBRON'S LEGS: James played 50 minutes in Game 2 on the heels of 46 minutes in Game 1. He said he was feeling the effects after Game 2 but that he and his trainer would work on treatments throughout the off day.


''We already have started on my rehab. Already started on my session,'' he said. ''I will get rehab on the plane. We've got a five-hour flight back home, and we've got all-around-the-clock treatment tomorrow and get ready for Game 3. I'll be ready.''


CURRY'S CONFIDENCE: Stephen Curry shot just 5 for 23 in Game 2, going 2 of 15 from 3-point range. The NBA's MVP said the Warriors haven't been in a good rhythm but still believed they would win the series.


That might depend on his performance.


''I don't expect to shoot like this,'' he said. ''I've got to play better, find better shots and be more in a rhythm throughout the course of the game for us to really assert ourselves as a team.''


SLOW AND STEADY: Neither team shot 40 percent in Game 2, and the only reason both reached 100 points in Game 1 was because they went to overtime. Not surprising, since both have been among the top defensive teams in the playoffs.


''This is what we expected,'' Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.


''Great defensive teams. Both teams I thought defended like crazy out there. It was a grind-out, kind of old-school game. That's the style that it's going to be when you get this deep in the playoffs. It's rarely a track meet.''


DELLY'S D: Curry struggled against the tough defense of Matthew Dellavedova, who moved into the starting lineup after Kyrie Irving fractured his left kneecap. Curry missed all eight shots when defended in the halfcourt by Dellavedova, according to ESPN.


''I mean, I don't think anyone can really stop Steph Curry,'' Dellavedova said. ''He can get his shot off pretty much whenever he wants and can get hot in a second. So we'll watch the tape and see what we need to do for Game 3.''


ALIVE AND WELL: The Cavaliers say they aren't concerned with what's being said, but they are aware they were being given little chance to win the series after Irving's injury.


''We don't worry about the media writing us off,'' guard Iman Shumpert said. ''Everything is about winning. We're not here to be part of anybody's story. We're here to win.''

Tuesday's Top Action


June 8, 2015




GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (80-19) at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (66-32)


NBA Finals – Game 3
Sportsbook.ag Line: Golden State -1, Total: 194.5

The Warriors and Cavaliers will each look to break a 1-1 deadlock when they meet in Cleveland in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday.

The Cavaliers and Warriors have opened up the NBA Finals with two overtime thrillers. In Game 2, Cleveland emerged with a hard-fought 95-93 victory in a game that saw neither side shoot 40 percent from the field. SF LeBron James followed up Game 1 with another remarkable game, notching his fifth career triple-double in the NBA Finals with 39 points, 16 rebounds, and 11 assists.

PG Stephen Curry had a poor shooting performance for the Warriors, and will look to improve on his 2-for-15 shooting from three-point range. His backcourt mate SG Klay Thompson was largely responsible for keeping Golden State in the game, as he submitted a 34-point game on 14-for-28 shooting from the field.


The Cavs won the rebounding battle 55-45, and had a 14-10 edge on the offensive boards with PF Tristan Thompson leading the way with seven. The first two games of the series have been decided by single digits. Game 1 went Over the total, but only did so after overtime, and Game 2 went Under despite going into overtime.

In the regular season and playoffs this season, the Cavaliers are 2-2 SU and 2-2 ATS when facing the Warriors. Cleveland won the only matchup on its home floor in these four meetings. The Warriors are 22-10 ATS after losing as a favorite over the past two seasons. Working in the Cavaliers favor, however, is the fact that Golden State is just 3-11 ATS in road games this season after winning two of their last three games.

PG Kyrie Irving (Knee), PF Kevin Love (Shoulder) and C Anderson Varejao (Achilles) are out for the season for the Cavaliers, while the Warriors are missing no key players.

The Warriors lost just their fourth home game of the season in Game 2, and that came in large part as a result of PG Stephen Curry’s (28.4 PPG, 6.4 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.8 SPG in playoffs) struggles. He shot just 5-for-23 from the floor in what was his poorest shooting display of the playoffs, and also turned the ball over six times, tied for his most this postseason. Golden State will need him to bounce back in Game 3 and hope that he returns to the form he was in during the Western Conference Finals, in which he averaged 31.2 PPG on 51.5 percent shooting to go along with 5.4 3FGM per game.

SG Klay Thompson (20.6 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG in playoffs) poured in a playoff career-high 34 points in Game 2, but SF Draymond Green (13.6 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.9 SPG, 1.3 BPG in playoffs) was a non-factor on the offensive end, scoring just 10 points on 2-for-7 shooting. Green was, however, brilliant on defense with five steals and four blocks, and will need to have a similar performance on that side of the ball if the Warriors are to have any chance at slowing down LeBron James.

SF LeBron James (29.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 8.3 APG, 1.6 SPG, 1.2 BPG in playoffs) is playing his best basketball in the postseason. He is the main reason the Cavs were able to leave Golden State tied in the series at one game apiece, as he has averaged an otherworldly 41.5 PPG, 12.0 RPG and 8.5 APG in the series thus far. He has needed 72 field goal attempts in the first two games combined to reach his gaudy scoring totals, and will be expected to continue his aggressive play on Tuesday.

C Timofey Mozgov (10.1 PPG, 7.4 RPG in playoffs) put up a double-double in Game 2 with 17 points and 11 rebounds in 29 minutes of action, and he could see more playing time in the fourth quarter in Game 3 after sitting out the final frame and overtime in Cleveland’s win over Golden State on Sunday.

PF Tristan Thompson (8.5 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.3 BPG) has been too much to handle on the boards for the Warriors, and is averaging 14.5 RPG in the Finals, including 6.5 ORPG. His rebounding could be the deciding factor in Game 3 and in the series overall.

Rascal Flatts, Usher to perform NBA Finals national anthems


June 8, 2015


OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Country group Rascal Flatts and eight-time Grammy winner Usher will perform the national anthem before the NBA Finals games in Cleveland.

Rascal Flatts will have the honors before Game 3 on Tuesday night. Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus, members of the trio that has sold nearly 23 million albums and had 15 No. 1 songs, are from Ohio. Joe Don Rooney is the third member.


The NBA says Monday that Usher, who became a Cavaliers part-owner in 2005, will follow in Game 4 on Thursday.


Usher has sold more than 65 million albums, with songs such as ''Yeah!'' among his hits.

LeBron, Cavs recover after beating Warriors, tying Finals


June 8, 2015


CLEVELAND (AP) - Once LeBron James tied up the NBA Finals with another one of his virtuoso postseason performances, his legs were in knots.


He needed ice, treatment and rest. He wasn't the only one.


After a pair of entertaining, exhausting, drama-filled overtime games at Golden State, everyone - players, fans, even the refs - needed a day to take a breather and recover before the Cavaliers and Warriors resume a series getting stellar TV ratings and shifting to Quicken Loans Arena for Game 3 on Tuesday night.


As midnight approached in California following Cleveland's stunning 95-93 OT win on Sunday night, James, who scored 39 points with 16 rebounds and 11 assists, grimaced as he lifted himself from a chair on the postgame interview dais. He was hurting after playing 50 methodical minutes, one game after going 46.


James, incredibly, believes he can give more.


''It's a maximum of five games left in the NBA season,'' he said. ''So I'm ready for whatever.''


He has been all season.


With James leading the way, the Cavaliers, who were already a heavy underdog before losing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to a broken left kneecap in the opener, dragged down the Warriors and Stephen Curry, the league's MVP.


Hounded by Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova, who seemed to be inside his jersey, Curry missed 18 of 23 shots and ended his night with an uncharacteristic 3-point air-ball with four seconds left in overtime.


But while Dellavedova's contributions starting in place of Irving were huge, James was again the difference and the reason why the Cavs can't be dismissed.


The best all-around player of his generation, James has pushed a team missing two All-Stars - Irving and Kevin Love - and a franchise that has its first finals win, within three victories of an improbable title that would end Cleveland's 51-year major sports championship drought.


James hasn't been flawless, far from it. He's twice missed potential game-winning shots in the final seconds, and has made only 40 percent of his field-goal attempts.


However, he's dictating the pace of the game, controlling the clock and slowing the run-and-gun Warriors, who are accustomed to doing things their way. He's also motivated his teammates - James dubbed them ''The Grit Squad'' - by telling them that they not only belong in this series, but they can win it.


The Cavs may be underdogs, but James is reminding them that this is their moment. And as he chases his third title, one that would crown his brilliant career and help him make good on a promise to his home area, James has the Cavs savoring every step.


''We have a chance to be a part of history,'' he said.


Cavs coach David Blatt has watched James with awe.


''You'd be hard pressed to find a guy anywhere, anytime, I can think of a name or two, but that's the whole history of basketball, that can give you the kind of all-around performance and all-around leadership that LeBron does for his group,'' he said. ''He really willed his guys to win that game.


''That's what a champion does.''


James is averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists in his fifth straight finals. He's drawn inspiration from doing it without Love and Irving, proving his doubters wrong and the 30-year-old suggested that there is ''other motivation'' driving him.


Maybe it's a chance to outperform Curry, tagged by some as his heir apparent as the league's biggest star.


Curry was off the mark from the start in Game 2, and afterward he didn't have an explanation for going 2 of 15 on 3-pointers. Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn't worried about his superstar.


''It happens to everybody, whether you're the MVP or a role player,'' Kerr said. ''Sometimes the shots don't go in. Sometimes things don't go your way. Steph will bounce back. He's a great player. We'll help him. We'll try to see if we can get him into a better groove. But he'll be fine.''


The workload on James has been overwhelming, maybe even too much for him. He's as mentally focused as he's ever been, and heading into the finals, James acknowledged his game is at its pinnacle.


He's dug deep to make it through two games, and he may be forced to play 40-plus minutes per game from here on out.


''Am I built for it?'' said, repeating a reporter's question. ''Well, of course I'm built for it.''

How much has the price come back on the Cavs?


The Cleveland Cavaliers series price odds are the best they have been after gutting out a 95-93 overtime win over Golden State in Game 2 of The Finals.


According to Sportsbook.ag, the Cavs, who opened at +200 before The Finals began are now listed at +170 to win the series, while the Warriors are down to -200 after opening at -250.

Line for Warriors-Cavs Game 3 hops the fence


After opening the Cleveland Cavaliers as 1-point home favorites for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Pinnacle Sports has moved that number to +1 as of 1:30 p.m. ET Monday.


The Cavs eked out a 95-93 overtime victory over the Golden State Warriors Sunday evening while covering the +7.5 spread in the process. Both sides own one game apiece as the action shifts to Ohio Tuesday evening.

LeBron hyped for Finals return to Cleveland


Jun 08, 2015


LeBron James issued a challenge to the hometown fans as the Cleveland Cavaliers return home for Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Tuesday night.


"If I can leave my fans with something, these fans here are pretty loud, pretty good, really good," James said before a five-hour flight from Oakland following Sunday's 95-93 overtime victory to tie the Golden State Warriors at 1-1 in the best-of-seven series. "I've heard our fans pretty loud before. A couple instances my first postseason appearance was really loud, and me coming home against the Knicks at the start of the season was pretty good. But I know we can be much, much louder than any fan base in this league. I know they're getting ready, and I can't wait to see them."


James limped into the postgame press conference at Oracle Arena on Sunday night but promised after playing over 40 minutes and recording a triple-double – 39 points, 16 rebounds and 11assists – that the Cavaliers would be primped and poised when the Warriors crash Quicken Loans Arena.


While James was superhuman in the second game of the series with the Cavaliers down his two All-Star running buddies, point guard Kyrie Irving (fractured kneecap) and power forward Kevin Love (shoulder), the Warriors had every chance to grab the game and a 2-0 series edge. That despite a slouch performance from MVP Steph Curry.


"It's not cute at all," James said. "If you're looking for us to play sexy, cute basketball, then that's not us. That's not us right now. Everything is tough. You know, we're going to come in with an aggressive mindset defensively and offensively. And for us to win a Finals game shooting 32 percent from the field, it's just a testament of how gritty we can be. It has to be that for the rest of the series, no matter how many games it takes."


James credit fill-in point guard Matthew Dellavedova for locking down Curry, who was 0 for 8 from the field when checked by the Australian on Sunday.


"It had everything to do with Delly," James said. "He just did a great job. Just trying to make it tough on Steph. That's all you can do. You make it tough on him."


Coach Steve Kerr said the Warriors played into the hands of the Cavaliers' defense. Curry did not run off of baseline screens as frequently as he did against the tight-clasp defense of the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference semifinals and he wasn't able to clear the defense in transition for open looks. The Cavaliers showed their hand early – physical and aggressive inside and out – but the Warriors never completely countered.


"Their defense was great," Kerr said. "We've got to put our guys in a better position to get good looks. I thought sometimes you get open shots that aren't rhythm shots, so you're not flowing, you're not playing well, and you haven't created anything offensively. Then all of a sudden you do get an open look, but you're not in the flow, in the groove."


Kerr, a marksman 3-point specialist during his NBA career, said Curry's chilly shooting is not abnormal and happens to every "MVP and role player."


Curry said the off night was not because Dellavedova didn't do anything that surprised Curry.


"No, he played hard and stuck to the game plan," said Curry, who vowed to figure out how the Cavs are going to "figure out exactly what adjustments they made, specifically on ball screens, and I'll be ready for Game 3."

Books adjust total in Game 3 of NBA Final


It didn't take long for books to drop the total for Game 3 of the NBA Final. Books opened the total at 194.5 but that was adjusted to 194 shortly thereafter.


The Over/Under is split through the first two games of the series with the Under cashing in Game 2.

With series tied will Cavs be favored for Game 3?


The Cleveland Cavaliers have opened as a slight 1-point home favorite for Game 3 of The NBA Finals after holding on for a 95-93 overtime win Sunday night in Oakland.


The Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors split the first two games straight up and against the spread.


Meanwhile, the total for Game 3 has opened at a series low 194.5.


Game 3 goes Tuesday night in Cleveland.


-------------------------------------------------


Over the popular bet in Cavs-Warriors Game 3


Despite the absence of star point guard Kyrie Irving, the betting public at Pinnacle Sports is still believing in LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.


Sixty-percent of spread bets and 61 percent of moneyline plays are backing the wine and gold at the shop. With game time rapidly approaching, the Cavs were sitting at +7.5 as of this writing.


On the total, 79 percent of bettors are backing the Over 199 points.


--------------------------------------------------




Foster has been a nightmare for home teams


So far in the NBA postseason, home teams are just 1-10 in games Scott Foster has officiated.


That's a trend that will appeal to bettors of the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors as Foster will be on the floor once again.


As of this writing, books are offering the Cavs as 7.5-point underdogs.


--------------------------------------------------------


Game of the Day: Warriors at Cavaliers


Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Cavaliers (+1, 194)


League MVP Stephen Curry attempts to rebound from a horrific performance when the Golden State Warriors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers in Tuesday's Game 3 of the NBA Finals. Curry was a dismal 5-of-23 shooting in Game 2 while Cleveland received 39 points from LeBron James to post a 95-93 overtime victory to even the series at 1-1.


Curry was only 2-of-15 from 3-point range as he struggled with his shot and with the hounding defense provided by Cavaliers guard Matthew Dellavedova. "I don't expect to shoot like this," Curry said at his postgame press conference. "I've got to play better, find better shots and be more in a rhythm throughout the course of the game for us to really assert ourselves as a team." Cleveland blew an 11-point lead with just over three minutes left in regulation before resurfacing in the overtime as it survived the loss of point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) for the rest of the series. "All that writing off and underdog title and little chances, that's a good thing," Cavaliers coach David Blatt said in his press conference. "This team has nothing on their mind but trying to win the championship."


TV: 9 p.m. ET, ABC


LINE HISTORY: Books opened the Cavs as 1-point faves, but that line has since hopped the fence to +1 as of this writing.


INJURY REPORT: Cleveland - K. Irving (out for season), K. Love (out for season) A. Varejao (out for season). Golden State - N/A.


ABOUT THE WARRIORS: Curry is just 4-of-21 from 3-point range over the first two games of the series and has looked nothing like the player who tormented the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference finals. "It happens to everybody, whether you're the MVP or a role player," Golden State coach Steve Kerr said at a press conference. "Sometimes the shots don't go in, sometimes things don't go your way. Steph will bounce back. He's a great player." Shooting guard Klay Thompson scored 34 points in Game 2 -- he's averaging 27.5 in the series -- while forward Draymond Green has been subpar by averaging 11 points on 6-of-20 shooting.


ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: James had 16 points and 11 assists in Game 2 to go with second straight high-scoring output -- he's averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists -- but the defensive star was Dellavedova, who was in the starting lineup only because of Irving's injury. "Obviously, he's a guy that's been counted out his whole life," James told reporters of a player who went undrafted two years ago before catching on with Cleveland. "Probably people have been telling him he's too small, he's not fast enough, can't shoot it enough, can't handle it enough and he's beat the odds so many times." The Cavaliers could use some scoring help from slumping shooting guards J.R. Smith (8-of-26) and Iman Shumpert (4-of-17), who are shooting a combined 27.9 percent from the field.




TRENDS:


*Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
*Warriors are 10-4 ATS in the last 14 meetings.
*Over is 4-0 in Cavaliers last 4 home games.
*Under is 11-3 in Warriors last 14 overall.


COVERS CONSENSUS: According to Covers Consensus, 53 percent of wagers are backing the Dubs.

Preview: Warriors (67-15) at Cavaliers (53-29)


Date: June 09, 2015 9:00 PM EDT

CLEVELAND (AP) - Once LeBron James tied up the NBA Finals with another one of his virtuoso postseason performances, his legs were in knots.


He needed ice, treatment and rest. He wasn't the only one.


After a pair of entertaining, exhausting, drama-filled overtime games at Golden State, everyone - players, fans, even the refs - needed a day to take a breather and recover before the Cavaliers and Warriors resume a series getting stellar TV ratings and shifting to Quicken Loans Arena for Game 3 on Tuesday night.


As midnight approached in California following Cleveland's stunning 95-93 OT win on Sunday night, James, who scored 39 points with 16 rebounds and 11 assists, grimaced as he lifted himself from a chair on the postgame interview dais. He was hurting after playing 50 methodical minutes, one game after going 46.


James, incredibly, believes he can give more.


'It's a maximum of five games left in the NBA season,' he said. 'So I'm ready for whatever.'


He has been all season.


With James leading the way, the Cavaliers, who were already a heavy underdog before losing All-Star guard Kyrie Irving to a broken left kneecap in the opener, dragged down the Warriors and Stephen Curry, the league's MVP.


Hounded by Cavs guard Matthew Dellavedova, who seemed to be inside his jersey, Curry missed 18 of 23 shots and ended his night with an uncharacteristic 3-point air-ball with four seconds left in overtime.


But while Dellavedova's contributions starting in place of Irving were huge, James was again the difference and the reason why the Cavs can't be dismissed.


The best all-around player of his generation, James has pushed a team missing two All-Stars - Irving and Kevin Love - and a franchise that has its first finals win, within three victories of an improbable title that would end Cleveland's 51-year major sports championship drought.


James hasn't been flawless, far from it. He's twice missed potential game-winning shots in the final seconds, and has made only 40 percent of his field-goal attempts.


However, he's dictating the pace of the game, controlling the clock and slowing the run-and-gun Warriors, who are accustomed to doing things their way. He's also motivated his teammates - James dubbed them 'The Grit Squad' - by telling them that they not only belong in this series, but they can win it.


The Cavs may be underdogs, but James is reminding them that this is their moment. And as he chases his third title, one that would crown his brilliant career and help him make good on a promise to his home area, James has the Cavs savoring every step.


'We have a chance to be a part of history,' he said.


Cavs coach David Blatt has watched James with awe.


'You'd be hard pressed to find a guy anywhere, anytime, I can think of a name or two, but that's the whole history of basketball, that can give you the kind of all-around performance and all-around leadership that LeBron does for his group,' he said. 'He really willed his guys to win that game.


'That's what a champion does.'


James is averaging 41.5 points, 12 rebounds and 8.5 assists in his fifth straight finals. He's drawn inspiration from doing it without Love and Irving, proving his doubters wrong and the 30-year-old suggested that there is 'other motivation' driving him.


Maybe it's a chance to outperform Curry, tagged by some as his heir apparent as the league's biggest star.


Curry was off the mark from the start in Game 2, and afterward he didn't have an explanation for going 2 of 15 on 3-pointers. Warriors coach Steve Kerr isn't worried about his superstar.


'It happens to everybody, whether you're the MVP or a role player,' Kerr said. 'Sometimes the shots don't go in. Sometimes things don't go your way. Steph will bounce back. He's a great player. We'll help him. We'll try to see if we can get him into a better groove. But he'll be fine.'


The workload on James has been overwhelming, maybe even too much for him. He's as mentally focused as he's ever been, and heading into the finals, James acknowledged his game is at its pinnacle.


He's dug deep to make it through two games, and he may be forced to play 40-plus minutes per game from here on out.


'Am I built for it?' said, repeating a reporter's question. 'Well, of course I'm built for it.'




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cavaliers at Warriors
Thu, Jun 4 Final 100 to 108
Recaps


GAME 2
Cavaliers at Warriors
Sun, Jun 7 Final 95 to 93
Recaps


GAME 3
Warriors at Cavaliers
Tue, Jun 9 - 9:00PM EDT


GAME 4
Warriors at Cavaliers
Thu, Jun 11 - 9:00PM EDT


GAME 5
Cavaliers at Warriors
Sun, Jun 14 - 8:00PM EDT


GAME 6
Warriors at Cavaliers
Tue, Jun 16 - 9:00PM EDT


GAME 7
Cavaliers at Warriors
Fri, Jun 19 - 9:00PM EDT

Preview: Red Sox (27-31) at Orioles (26-30)
Game: 1
Venue: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Date: June 09, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Eduardo Rodriguez was initially called up by the Boston Red Sox to give the rotation some relief in the midst of a grueling stretch. Through two outings, he's made quite the case to remain with the club for a longer term.


Rodriguez looks to become the ninth Boston pitcher over the last century to win his first three career starts Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.


Games in 20 consecutive days prompted the Red Sox to bring up Rodriguez, who has a 0.61 ERA while limiting Texas and Minnesota to five hits over 14 2-3 innings. The only run he's allowed came on a homer in a 6-3 win over the Twins on Wednesday.


The left-hander is the first since at least 1900 to pitch at least seven innings while allowing no more than three hits and one run in his first two career starts. Eight Red Sox pitchers since 1914 have won their first three, with Anthony Ranaudo doing it most recently in August.


Rodriguez was acquired from the Orioles in July in the deal that sent reliever Andrew Miller to Baltimore.


"We have the vantage point of getting to know the person in addition to the pitcher, and he's got great aptitude, he's intelligent, in addition to the physical abilities that he demonstrates," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "He's a special kid."


Boston (27-31) has won five of seven to pull out of AL East cellar, where the Orioles (26-30) now are.


The Red Sox scored all of their runs in the eighth inning of Sunday's 7-4 home victory over Oakland to complete their first sweep. The Nos. 1-3 batters had two hits apiece, while the bottom third of the lineup combined for five RBIs. The seven runs in one inning were more than the club had totaled in any of its previous 14 games.


Boston hasn't won four in a row since August.


"I think the way in which we won this one has a chance or an opportunity to have as big an impact as the win itself," Farrell said.


Baltimore has won three of four following a five-game skid and is hoping a couple of batters can take advantage of the matchup with a left-handed pitcher. Adam Jones is hitting .371 while Delmon Young is 8 for his last 15 off lefties.


Miguel Gonzalez (5-4, 3.54) is looking for his first win in four starts, receiving two runs of support over 18 2-3 innings since his last victory. He gave up three homers over 6 2-3 innings in a 3-1 loss at Houston on Wednesday.


"Miguel, it's just frustrating he can't get more in return for what he pitched," manager Buck Showalter said.


Gonzalez is 5-1 with a 3.26 ERA in eight starts against the Red Sox, including two in April. He won 8-3 in Boston on April 19, surrendering three runs over five innings.


Hanley Ramirez has hit .372 with nine RBIs in his last 11 games and is 3 for 6 with two homers against Gonzalez.


Baltimore has taken four of seven meetings this year and 10 of the past 15. Jimmy Paredes, who is 3 for 29 over his last eight games, is 14 for 28 in his past six matchups against the Red Sox with seven RBIs in the last three.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Red Sox at Orioles
Tue, Jun 9 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Red Sox at Orioles
Wed, Jun 10 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 3
Red Sox at Orioles
Thu, Jun 11 - 7:05PM EDT

Preview: Cubs (30-25) at Tigers (30-28)
Game: 1
Venue: Comerica Park
Date: June 09, 2015 7:08 PM EDT

Having pitched for AL teams in his first nine seasons, Jon Lester isn't as accustomed with the Chicago Cubs' opponents and vice versa.


He'll get his first chance to face a more familiar foe when he makes his first interleague start since joining the Cubs on Tuesday night against the Detroit Tigers.


Lester spent eight-plus seasons with Boston and part of last year with Oakland before signing with Chicago. The left-hander has experienced his ups and downs in the NL, going 4-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 11 starts.


Lester seemed to find a groove in his six games in May, going 4-1 with a 1.76 ERA, but couldn't carry that over into this month. He yielded six runs and nine hits in five innings in Wednesday's 7-3 loss in Miami. He allowed four runs and six hits in the second.


Lester will make his 12th career start against Detroit (30-28) including two in the postseason. The most starts he's made against NL teams are five, versus St. Louis and Philadelphia.


"If definitely helps when you have familiarity with guys, but the bottom line is you have to execute pitches," he said.


Lester lost both of his matchups with the Tigers last season, permitting five runs and a career high-tying 12 hits in 4 1-3 innings in an 8-6 defeat at Comerica Park on June 7, and yielding one run in five innings in a 1-0 defeat May 16. Those outings epitomize his career against Detroit, as Lester has a 1.76 ERA in five starts but a 6.69 ERA in the other six.


The Cubs arrive in Detroit after taking three of four in Washington. Chicago (30-25) had 14 hits - one shy of matching a season high - in a 6-3 victory in Sunday's finale.


Kris Bryant finished a home run short of the cycle and Anthony Rizzo extended his hit streak to 12 games. Rizzo, batting .386 with a 1.208 OPS during that run, will next face a struggling Anibal Sanchez (3-7, 5.69).


The Tigers right-hander is 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA in his last four starts. He hasn't lost four consecutive decisions since a career-worst five in a row in 2011 while with the Marlins. He last faced the Cubs in 2012.


He gave up four runs and five hits while walking four and striking out one in seven innings Wednesday in a 6-1 defeat to Oakland that was part of an eight-game losing streak for Detroit. The Tigers snapped that with a combined 13 runs and 28 hits in back-to-back wins against the Chicago White Sox this weekend after batting .214 with 22 runs during their skid.


"I don't know if we're over the hump, but it feels a lot better than it did a few days ago," manager Brad Ausmus said.


Miguel Cabrera has reached base in 26 consecutive games but is batting .231 in his last 11 and has two homers in his past 20. However, he is batting .400 in his last 12 home games and is 12 for 23 against Lester, the best average (.522) of any of the 115 batters who've faced him at least 17 times.


Yoenis Cespedes, who is batting .400 with two homers in his last eight games, is 1 for 11 lifetime versus Lester.


The Tigers are facing the Cubs for the first time since taking two of three at Wrigley Field in June 2012. They've won nine of 10 in the series, including a three-game sweep at Comerica in June 2009.




SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Cubs at Tigers
Tue, Jun 9 - 7:08PM EDT


GAME 2
Cubs at Tigers
Wed, Jun 10 - 7:08PM EDT

Preview: Nationals (30-27) at Yankees (32-25)
Game: 1
Venue: Yankee Stadium
Date: June 09, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Childhood New York Yankees fan Bryce Harper has taken baseball by storm this season as he gets ready to play his first game in the Bronx.


Harper and hitters for the Washington Nationals and Yankees figure to have a tough time thanks to a tremendous pitching matchup.


Masahiro Tanaka makes his first home start in nearly two months opposite Max Scherzer as the Yankees seek a seventh straight victory in Tuesday night's opener of a two-game series.


Harper is batting .326 and leads the majors with 19 homers and a 1.170 OPS while ranking near the top with 46 RBIs. The fourth-year phenom will likely be the subject of New York tabloid speculation this week about his boyhood fascination with the Yankees, and the possibility of eventually playing for them.


He'll have a tough assignment against Tanaka (3-1, 2.76 ERA), who is the first Yankee since 1914 to pitch at least six innings and not allow more than three hits and one run in three straight outings. Tanaka made his first start Wednesday after being out since April 23 with a strained forearm and yielded one run with a season-high nine strikeouts over seven innings of a 3-1 victory at Seattle.


The right-hander, who hasn't pitched at home since April 12, saw his fastball clocked between 95-96 mph.


"There's no inkling that his stuff wasn't there," manager Joe Girardi said. "It was the highest velocity that we've seen from him so that was good for us. It's good to have him back."


Tanaka, who has never faced Washington (30-27) or any of its hitters, is 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA in four career interleague outings.


The Yankees (32-25) seek their first seven-game win streak since Sept. 15-22, 2012. They'll see a familiar face in Scherzer (6-4, 1.85), who is 6-2 with a 3.04 ERA against them in eight starts, including two in the postseason.


Not many New York hitters have fared well against him. Stephen Drew is 3 for 22 overall, Mark Teixeira is 3 for 19, Brett Gardner is 2 for 18 and Alex Rodriguez is 1 for 12.


That should give the right-hander confidence after he gave up four runs in six innings in last Tuesday's 7-3 home defeat to Toronto. Scherzer had won his previous five starts behind a 1.75 ERA.


"No matter what, you always have to flush it out and always look at the positives," he said. "You're going to have things to work on even when you have good starts so this is just one game I got beat and you just go out there with the next mentality that you're going to win the next one."


Harper will look to stick around longer than he did the last time these teams met May 20 when he was ejected along with manager Matt Williams in the third inning of a 3-2 victory as Washington swept a two-game home set.


Denard Span, who was 3 for 9 in that series, left Sunday's 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs with back spasms and his status is unclear.


Fellow center fielder Gardner went 5 for 13 in a weekend sweep of the Los Angeles Angels. Brian McCann is expected back in the Yankees' lineup after resting in Sunday's 6-2 victory.


SERIES AT A GLANCE


GAME 1
Nationals at Yankees
Tue, Jun 9 - 7:05PM EDT


GAME 2
Nationals at Yankees
Wed, Jun 10 - 1:05PM EDT