Pictured are Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue, and LeBron James (wearing head band)
By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and the Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper and Newspaper Blog. Tel: 216-659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Coleman is a 23-year political, legal and investigative journalist who trained for 17 years, and under six different editors, at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com). CLICK HERE TO GO TO KATHY WRAY COLEMAN AT GOOGLE PLUS WHERE SHE HAS SOME 2.5 MILLION INTERNET VIEWS alone.
CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM-CLEVELAND, Ohio- Tyronn Lue got his first win as an NBA head coach Monday night at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-107, the fourth straight win against the Timberwolves this season.
The win follows the team loss to the Chicago Bulls Saturday night, 96-83, which was Lue's debut.
At the time the associate coach for the Cavs, Lue, 38, who is Black and signed a three-year extension relative to his controversial promotion, replaced David Blatt, who was fired on Friday amid behind the scenes turmoil.
"Everybody came and gave me a hug and said congratulations," said Lue of megastar LeBron James and the other players during a televised press conference after the game.
But the coach also said that there is room for improvement.
"We had 10 turnovers and we've got to play fast," said Lue, whose up tempo strategy differs from that of Blatt, who had no NBA coaching experience when he was hired in 2014.
James led the Cavaliers with 25 points, nine assists, and four rebounds. And he shot 11-of-15 from the field.
"We're playing at a faster tempo, and for me I love running," said James, who said that Lue's first win was a special moment, particularly before Cleveland fans.
Matthew Dellavedova finished with 18 points and seven assists, and said after the game that "there is great chemistry."
Kevin Love posted 11 points and six rebounds.
The Cavs led 32-29 after the first quarter and were up by 10 heading into the fourth. They shot 51 percent from the field, though they made only 13 of 20 free throws.
The Timberwolves cut a 15 point lead, 95-91, midway through the fourth, but only led briefly, and only by one point at two different times during the third quarter.
The Cavaliers have compiled a 31-12 record this season, and remain first in the Eastern Conference.
(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com).