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Joe G's Running Game Blog

FINAL - CHA 86, CLE 80 ...The Cavs led through three quarters, but the Bobcats started the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run, turning momentum and never looking back to hand the Cavs the tough loss, their first at The Q this season. Kyrie Irving (18 pts, 10 asst) and Tristan Thompson (15 pts, 10 reb) doubled-up for the Wine and Gold, who fall to 3-7 with the loss.

2:35, 4Q - CHA 81, CLE 73 ... It's getting late early at The Q, Cavs still haven't recovered from poor end to 3Q; CLE w/15 turnovers, but it feels like more than that; Kyrie (18 pts, 10 reb) and Tristan (14 pts, 10 reb) w/double-doubles; on the floor - Jack, Miles, Irving, Thompson, Andy

7:48, 4Q - CHA 74, CLE 67 ... That poor start at the end of 3Q has spilled into the 4th and the Bobcats have big momentum; Sessions with 7 pts in the quarter so far; Mike Brown not happy in Cavs huddle; Kyrie w/15 pts to lead Cavs, 4-13 FG; Tristan 14 pts, 9 reb; Cavs bench, usually strong suit, shooting just 7-19, 14 combined pts.

Enjoy some first half highlights ...

1:52, 3Q - CLE 58, CHA 57 ... Mike Brown was livid with his team with that late TO in 3Q, gave it to the rookies pretty good; Cavs trying to hold on, despite really poor end to the period -- still haven't trailed; neither team shooting 40 pct; Clark, 12 pts; Tristan, 12 pts, 9 reb, Kyrie, 8 pts, 9 reb.

1:52, 3Q - CLE 56, CHA 50 ... Earl Clark having easily his best game as a Cav, 12 pts, 5-5 FG, 5 reb, tough D; Tristan, close to sixth double-double, 12 pts, 9 reb, but having his hands full with Biyombo; Kyrie, on verge of double-double as well -- 8 pts, 9 asst; Cavs going with the two rookies to end 3Q.

End 1H - CLE 37, CHA 33 ... Nice end to 2Q by Tristan, now with 9 pts, 7 reb; tight, ugly contest between two teams that've seen each other four times already this fall; Kyrie, 8 pts, 4 asst; 14 bench pts for CLE, Cavs still haven't hit a 3-pt (0-5); Cavs have led throughout.

2:41, 2Q - CLE 32, CHA 29 ... Both teams shooting 36 pct; Kyrie leads CLE w/8 pts, 3 asst; Tristan, 5 pts, 6 reb; Zeller, 5 pts off bench.

End 1Q - CLE 18, CHA 12 ... Tyler Zeller strong finish to 1Q vs. his brother, 5 straight points and Cavs bench into it; Zeller leads all scorers in ugly-shooting opening quarter -- CLE 36 pct, CHA 26 pct; Mike Brown ends period with two rooks (Karasev, Bennett) plus Zeller, Jack, Gee and lineup responded well, brought energy. All start 2Q.

2:23, 1Q - CLE 13, CHA 8 ... Neither team shooting well - CLE, 35 pct, CHA, 29 pct; Kyrie w/4 pts; Bennett scored on a short jumper, grabbed a contested board on the other end; still waiting for things to click for the rookie and when it comes, it could be in bunches; Gee, Zeller, Jack, Karasev all check in for CLE.

Pregame - Here's Mike Brown's pregame presser, in which he talked about -- among other things -- his team's overall defensive improvement throughout the young season and the process that they'll have to go through to keep it up.

For the Cavaliers, Earl Clark gets inserted back into the starting lineup, as does CJ Miles in place of Dion Waiters, who's out suffering from flu-like symptoms. Kyrie Irving will wear a protective mask for the next two weeks after suffering a minimally displaced nasal fracture on Wednesday night against Minnesota.

For the Bobcats, Bismack Biyombo gets the start in place of the injured Al Jefferson, who's still out with a sore ankle.