Daily News- November 26, 2019

**NOTE: The news clips and articles listed don't necessarily reflect the views or beliefs of the Cleveland Cavaliers or their Basketball Operations staff, partners, or sponsors.**

Kyrie Irving was ‘great teammate,’ will have his jersey retired in Cleveland, says Tristan Thompson
Author: Chris Fedor
Publication: Cleveland.com

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Each time Kyrie Irving’s team is scheduled to play in Cleveland, it sparks memories -- good and bad -- of what used to be.

Irving, the franchise’s No. 1 pick in 2011, spent six years with the Cavaliers before demanding a trade in the summer of 2017. LeBron James called that blockbuster swap between the Cavs and Celtics the “beginning of the end.” But after two polarizing years with the Celtics, Irving bolted in free agency, joining forces with injured star Kevin Durant in Brooklyn.

Because of how his time in both Cleveland and Boston ended, defining Irving’s legacy has become more complicated.

Not according to Tristan Thompson, who was taken a few picks after Irving in the 2011 draft, pairing up with him to steer the Cavs through the initial post-James era.
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Cleveland Cavaliers rally, but can’t finish in 108-106 loss to Kyrie Irving-less Brooklyn Nets
Author: Chris Fedor
Publication: Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Monday night was supposed to mark Kyrie Irving’s anticipated return to Cleveland -- just the second time since forcing his way out in the summer of 2017.

This time, Irving was scheduled to visit as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

But with Irving sidelined for the sixth straight game because of a shoulder injury, Irving’s replacement -- Spencer Dinwiddie -- did his best impersonation, canning a game-winner with 1.6 seconds remaining.

The surging Nets topped the Cavaliers 108-106. Brooklyn is 5-1 without Irving.
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Cleveland Cavaliers have started to unlock Cedi Osman and, as a result, a piece of offense that had been missing
Author: Chris Fedor
Publication: cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- After 11 games early this season, third-year swingman Cedi Osman had a higher usage rating than just one player on the roster. It was little-used Alfonzo McKinnie who signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers just days before the season opener.

That’s certainly not what the Cavs had in mind when signing Osman to a contract extension in October. It’s not what Osman had in mind as he looked to build on last year’s breakout campaign while holding off rookies Kevin Porter Jr. and Dylan Windler for Cleveland’s starting small forward spot.

But even as Osman’s overall numbers began to plummet -- in large part because of how he was being used in Beilein’s new system -- and the questions about Osman’s role increased, he never complained. When he was benched at the start of the second half in a blowout loss against the Miami Heat, a night head coach John Beilein sent a clear message to three young starters, Osman never hung his head.
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Cavs Furious Rally Falls Just Short
Author: Joe Gabriele
Publication: cavs.com

WRAP-UP

Nobody who attended Monday’s Cavaliers-Nets matchup at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse can say they didn’t get their money’s worth.

In a game that was nip-and-tuck for four quarters, the Nets finally looked like they’d put Cleveland away late – taking a nine-point lead with 2:12 to play. But the Wine & Gold came roaring back to tie the game at 106-apiece with 21.5 seconds remaining.

That was as good as it would get, however, as Brooklyn’s Spencer Dinwiddie drilled a step-back jumper with 1.8 to play – giving the Nets the 108-106 victory.
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Cavaliers notebook: Tristan Thompson welcomes any challenge defensively; Kevin Love sits again
Author: Ryan Lewis
Publication: beaconjournal.com

CLEVELAND — Cavaliers forward Tristan Thompson will welcome any challenge that might come his way on the defensive end, as long as coach John Beilein will let him accept it.

Thompson began shadowing Carmelo Anthony, who in the past has been described by opposing players as one of the toughest players to guard in the NBA, in the Cavs’ 110-104 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday night.

Thompson welcomed the assignment, as he will any night.
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