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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Randy Wittman couldn't bear to watch as Fred
Hoiberg launched his 3-pointer.
"I just closed my eyes and listened to the crowd," Cleveland's
coach said. "They told me."
Hoiberg's attempt rimmed out in the closing seconds and the
Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a 10-game losing streak Monday night
with an 85-84 victory over the Chicago Bulls.
Wesley Person, injured most of the season, finally got a chance
to help Cleveland and scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and
Andre Miller made one free throw with 19 seconds left as the
Cavaliers won for the first time since beating the Bulls on Jan.
24.
Person, who missed 26 games with an injured elbow and spent
considerable time on the bench, made five of seven field goals and all three of
his 3-point attempts in 16 minutes, finishing with 13 points.
"This has been very frustrating," said Person, who added he
wouldn't be surprised if he's traded before the deadline Thursday.
"With all the changes, all the lineups, I just sat. I never asked
for a trade, but if one comes along, I'm ready. I'm in the prime of
my career and I don't want to sit."
Jim Jackson's leaner in the lane with 1:26 remaining gave
Cleveland an 84-82 lead before Elton Brand got free underneath for
an easy basket to tie it.
Miller then hit one of two free throws with 19.8 seconds left before
Hoiberg's 23-footer rattled out. Person grabbed the rebound and was
fouled.
"It went in and out and there's nothing I can do about it,"
said Hoiberg, who scored 20 points. "It felt great when I released
it. I thought it was going in. It was a killer when I saw it roll
out. That was the ballgame."
Person then missed both of his attempts at the line, giving the
Bulls a last chance. But rookie Marcus Fizer was unable to control
the inbounds pass and the ball bounced off him and out of bounds as
the clock expired.
Cleveland's reserves outscored Chicago's 20-0 in the fourth
period and 53-16 in the game as the Cavs avoided the embarrassment
of losing to the NBA's worst team.
Despite the victory, the Cavs still have some big problems.
Lamond Murray was benched late in the first half by Wittman after
making a horrendous turnover. He didn't play in the second half.
Murray sat at the end of Cleveland's bench with a towel draped
over his head and reluctantly walked on the court to take part in
timeouts.
"I changed the lineup at halftime because I didn't like what I
saw," Wittman said. "I was going to turn off the minutes. I want
to find people that will get it done."
Miller added 13 points and nine assists for Cleveland.
Brand had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Bulls, who were
without second-leading scorer Ron Mercer. Mercer sprained his left
ankle in a victory over Miami on Saturday and was scratched just before
the opening tip.
Fizer had 14 points for the Bulls, who took a 71-62 lead into
the fourth quarter.
But that's when Person got hot.
Person, whose biggest contribution this season came last week in
Dallas when he flattened Mavericks forward Gary Trent in the
infamous "Chalupa Game," made two 3-pointers as the Cavs pulled
to 75-74 with 7:11 remaining.
"Wesley came in and was huge," said Gatling. "He showed that
he's a true professional. He's been sitting and he's been in
coach's doghouse. But he gave us a lift and we needed one."
Gatling's two free throws gave Cleveland its first lead at 76-75
with 6:03 left.
Hoiberg made a pair of 3-pointers and Bryce Drew knocked down another 3 as the Bulls outscored the Cavs 15-4 to begin the second half and
open a 61-48 lead. Hoiberg scored 10 points in the period and Brand
grabbed seven rebounds as the Bulls went into the fourth nursing
their nine-point lead.
Game notes
Brand has 27 double-doubles this season. ... Cavs center Chris
Mihm picked up his first career assist in the first half. He went
411 minutes before being credited with an assist. ... Person's
third 3-pointer moved him past Craig Ehlo into third place on the
Cavs' career 3-pointer list with 382. ... Mercer was ranked second
in the league with 42.1 minutes a game. ... The Cavs have a rich
history of losing streaks. Cleveland has also had 12-, 15- and
19-game slides. The 19-game skein in 1981-82 was followed by five
defeats to open the next season, giving the Cavs an NBA record 24
consecutive setbacks over two seasons. ... Cleveland ranked 27th in a
Sports Illustrated poll of the most desirable franchises to coach.
Only Vancouver and the Los Angeles Clippers were lower than the
Cavs. "I'm glad I'm here," Wittman said.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Chicago Clubhouse
Cleveland Clubhouse
RECAPS
Cleveland 85
Chicago 84
LA Clippers 111
Detroit 106
Milwaukee 102
San Antonio 98
Utah 114
Boston 99
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