INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — LeBron James and his scrutinized right elbow remained out of sight Tuesday, deepening the mystery about his perplexing injury.
Hours after being embarrassed on their home floor by the Celtics in Game 2, the Cavaliers were summoned to their practice facility by coach Mike Brown to watch tape of the 104-86 setback that evened the Eastern Conference semifinal at 1-1.
Although Game 3 isn’t until Friday, Brown wanted to dissect and digest what went wrong.
“I had a lot to say to the guys about our performance,” Brown said. “I thought we need to develop a sense of urgency in this series and throughout our run. I thought why not have (Monday) night be a good start to that.”
After the team’s film session broke up, James, who will have a third MRI in less than 10 days on his injured elbow this week, was not seen when the Cleveland Clinic Courts were opened to the media. The team said James was at the facility receiving treatment on his elbow.
Forward Anderson Varejao, who sat out the fourth quarter with back spasms, is day to day.
He wasn’t throwing in the towel
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was spotted in TV replays throwing a white towel in the air to distract Cleveland forward J.J. Hickson at the free- throw line in the third quarter of Monday’s game.
Ainge, sitting in the first seat to the right of Cleveland’s basket, is seen reaching behind the stanchion to grab one of the ball boy’s towels as Hickson prepares to shoot. Ainge then tosses the towel into the air on Hickson’s second attempt with 1:53 remaining. Hickson made the free throw.
“That was interesting to see that happen during the flow of the game, from Danny Ainge,” Brown said. “If it’s within the rules, hey, at this time, you do whatever you can to win.”
NBA spokesman Tim Frank said the league is aware of Ainge’s actions and that “the situation is under review.”
Footnotes.
The Hornets had interviews with former Dallas coach Avery Johnson and current Mavericks assistant Dwane Casey to fill their coaching vacancy.
• The Thunder exercised a team option on Scott Brooks’ contract that will allow the NBA’s coach of the year to remain in Oklahoma City through 2012.
• Warriors guard Kelenna Azubuike exercised the player option in his contract for the 2010-11 season.
• For the first time since 1992, the All-Star Game will return to Orlando, Fla., in 2012 at the Magic’s new arena.
The Associated Press
