Category: Cleveland Cavaliers Blog

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Jazz vs Cavs NBA virtual reality game broadcast

The Utah Jazz vs Cleveland Cavaliers home game on Tuesday, Jan. 10 will be broadcast live in virtual reality, as part of NBA Digital and NextVR’s season-long initiative to deliver weekly games in VR through NBA LEAGUE PASS.

This programming marks the first regular schedule of live games delivered in VR by a professional sports league.

The VR broadcasts are fully produced with dedicated announcers, multiple unmanned camera angles and optimized graphics. Game breaks are filled with in-venue entertainment, behind-the-scenes footage from the arena and VR-specific commentary.

“The Utah Jazz are excited to be featured in two virtual reality broadcasts by the NBA this season,” said Utah Jazz President Steve Starks. “We support the NBA’s drive forward in VR innovation and the capability of giving our global fan base courtside seats for Jazz games through technology.”

For local viewers, the VR broadcast of Utah-Cleveland game will be blacked out. More information on the NBA LEAGUE PASS VR Game of the Week is available at http://www.nba.com/vr.

The Utah Jazz game at Oklahoma City on Feb. 28 is also on the NBA VR broadcast schedule.

Kevin Love had food poisoning

Kevin Love had food poisoning

The injury bug already reared its ugly head this season for the Cavaliers, taking down J.R. Smith’s thumb, Chris Andersen’s Achilles, and to a lesser extent, Kyrie Irving’s hamstring and Mike Dunleavy’s ankle in its path.

Following the Cavs’ 90-86 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue revealed his team is also dealing with the flu.

Kevin Love had it worst, as he exited the game with 6:54 remaining in the fourth quarter and did not return because of his illness that began as food poisoning, believed to be linked to sea bass he ate on the team’s flight back from Charlotte on Saturday, according to Lue.

“When I got the call from [Cavs head athletic trainer] Steve [Spiro], he said [Love] had lost 10 pounds and he was throwing up and whatever else I can’t say,” Lue said.

— ESPN.com

Quick Take: Love is having an excellent season. He’s averaging 21.8 ppg, 10.9 rpg and 1.7 apg. He’s taking a team-high 6.8 three point attempts per game, hitting 39.7% from outside the arc, and 44.8% FG. The Cavs are 26-7 this season, and for now their only series competition in the Eastern conference is the Toronto Raptors.

Pistons beat Cavs as LeBron James sits

Pistons beat Cavs as LeBron James sits

A five-game losing streak that tormented the Pistons in recent weeks, prompting tension inside the locker room and a shuffling of the starting lineup, has finally ended.

The Pistons jumped out to an early lead Monday then held serve rest of the way, using a late-third quarter rally that stretched into the fourth to take down the defending NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers, 106-90, at the Palace.

Cleveland was playing without LeBron James, instead opting to give the 12-time All-Star the night off after playing 40 minutes the night prior.

“We were very hungry,” Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson said. “We dropped I don’t know how many in a row. We dropped the last two that were very tough, against Memphis and Golden State, and I thought we played well but didn’t come out with a win.

“We knew they played yesterday, so we got a jump on them early.”

— Michigan Live

J.R. Smith out 12-14 weeks after thumb surgery

jr smith

Cavalier guard J.R. Smith’s surgery to repair a complex fracture of his right thumb was completed this morning at the Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center in Montrose, Ohio. The surgery was performed by renowned hand surgeon Dr. Thomas Graham of Northwell Health of New York. Dr. TJ Reilly of the Crystal Clinic assisted. Also present was Dr. Richard D. Parker of Cleveland Clinic Sports Health. Smith will now undergo a period of recovery and rehabilitation for his thumb and his return to play timeline is currently projected at 12-14 weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate.

Chris Andersen out for season with torn ACL

Chris Andersen out for season with torn ACL

Cavaliers center Chris Andersen suffered a non-contact right knee injury today during practice at Cleveland Clinic Courts. After undergoing evaluation at the facility, an MRI administered at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health by team physician Dr. Richard Parker confirmed that Andersen suffered an ACL tear that will require season ending surgery. Andersen’s status and recovery time will be updated following his surgery.

Andersen, who signed as a free agent this summer, appeared in 12 games this season with averages of 2.3 points and 2.6 rebounds.

Tyronn Lue and Steve Kerr named NBA Coaches of Month

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tyronn Lue and the Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in October and November.

Lue guided the reigning NBA champion Cavaliers to an Eastern Conference-best 13-3 record during October and November, matching the best 16-game start in franchise history. Cleveland, which began the season with six straight victories, ranked second in the NBA in scoring (111.3 points per game), three-point field goal percentage (39.0) and three-pointers made (13.8 per game). The Cavaliers sank a team-record 21 three-pointers in a 137-125 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 23.

Kerr led the Warriors to an NBA-best 16-2 record in October and November, including 12 victories in a row entering December. Golden State paced the NBA in scoring (117.6 ppg), assists (31.1 apg), field goal percentage (50.2) and blocked shots (6.6 bpg). The Warriors notched at least 30 assists in 10 consecutive games, the longest streak in franchise history, and they registered a team-record 47 assists in a 149-106 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 23.

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month were Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, Chicago’s Fred Hoiberg, Houston’s Mike D’Antoni, the LA Clippers’ Doc Rivers, the Lakers’ Luke Walton, Memphis’ David Fizdale, San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich and Toronto’s Dwane Casey.

LeBron James, George Hill named Players of Week

The Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and the Utah Jazz’s George Hill today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 6.

James led the unbeaten Cavaliers to a 3-0 week, averaging 24.7 points (fourth in the East), 11.3 assists (first in the East) and 9.3 rebounds. On Nov. 3, he scored a season-high 30 points and added 12 assists and seven rebounds in a 128-122 win over the Boston Celtics. He followed that performance with 25 points, 14 assists, eight rebounds and two steals in a 102-101 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 5. During the game, James passed Hakeem Olajuwon for 10th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.

Hill helped the Jazz to a 3-1 week behind averages of 20.8 points, 5.8 assists and 3.3 rebounds. He connected on 31-of-53 (58.5 percent) shots from the field, including 11-of-20 (55.0 percent) from three-point range. On Nov. 2, he scored a season-high 25 points to go with six rebounds and four assists in a 97-81 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Hill capped his week by recording 23 points and a season-high nine assists in a 114-109 win over the New York Knicks on Nov. 6. Utah improved to 4-0 when Hill scores at least 20 points.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Dwight Howard, Charlotte’s Kemba Walker, Houston’s James Harden, the LA Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook, Orlando’s Evan Fournier, Portland’s Damian Lillard, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan.

Cavaliers waive Dahntay Jones

Cavaliers waive Dahntay Jones

The Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard/forward Dahntay Jones, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

Jones appeared in two preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 20.4 minutes. Jones also appeared in 15 postseason games for the Cavs last season.

The Cavaliers roster now stands at 15.

Cavs waive Markel Brown, Jonathan Holmes, Cory Jefferson

The Cavaliers waived guard Markel Brown, forward Jonathan Holmes and forward Cory Jefferson today.

Brown appeared in six preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 4.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 14.3 minutes per game.

Holmes appeared in six preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 9.7 points and 3.3 rebounds in 17.4 minutes per game.

Jefferson appeared in six preseason games for the Cavs, averaging 7.7 points and 5.2 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game.