LeBron to miss Cavaliers' season finale

I'm not sure how optimistically we should react to the fact that the Celtics are now first in the Eastern Conference with one game to play despite having such a severe fault. Kevin Love had 25 points and 10 rebounds before he fouled out with 29.2 seconds left in overtime.

Cleveland lost to the Heat, 124-121, in overtime.

Since the all-star break, the Cavs have allowed 107.9 points per 100 possessions on defense.

For the Heat, the victory means they will be fighting with the Indiana Pacers (41-40) and Chicago Bulls (40-41) for the last two play-off spots in the East. Miami will need to win their regular-season finale today against the visiting Washington Wizards, to have any hope of making the postseason.

According to an Amazon.com preview, the book "Return of the King: LeBron James, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Greatest Comeback in NBA History" features an inside story on James' decision to return to Cleveland plus other details of the transactions that helped made it happen. Additionally, Irving - who recorded 45 points and nine assists - has been bothered by a sore knee while James is averaging 42.3 minutes over a five-game span. This time, the lead going into the fourth was 11.

In just over three minutes, the lead was gone. There was a stretch in the game where it was exclusively him and Kyle Korver (18 points on just 31 touches) kept the Cavs in the game. In that game, Jones recorded 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

Hassan Whiteside had a slow first half, but ended with a solid line for the game.

This includes the Cavs' acquisition of Kevin Love, who went to Cleveland via a trade for No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins.

As the Cleveland Cavaliers make final preparations for their title defense, Cleveland will add backup guard Dahntay Jones to the roster, according to National Basketball Association reporter Chris Haynes of ESPN. Thompson and Irving were on the floor working out pregame.

The Cavs broke out the bubble wrap for three of their starters early, holding Tristan Thompson out for four games with a sprained thumb, putting LeBron James on the shelf for the final two games and also giving Kyrie Irving a game off Monday. G Kay Felder (left lower leg) left the game in the third quarter. Williams' high with the Cavs was 19, until Monday.

Heat: Dion Waiters (ankle) missed his 12th consecutive game. It would have gotten Miami within eight going into the fourth.

The Cavs are 0-6 this season when James does not play, with Cleveland's bench thus far unable to pull off the type of win that Atlanta's reserves did against the Cavs. Cleveland may have been embarrassed by the Atlanta Hawks in their last two games, but Cleveland's stake in this game isn't as pressing as Miami's. It's too late now.