Tag: Cleveland

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NFL (American Football)

In Kansas City, the Chiefs have given Kareem Hunt and Matt Araiza a second chance, and both are seizing the opportunity

Kareem Hunt and Patick Mahomes after scoring in the 1st half

There was a time when Kareem Hunt wasn’t sure if he’d ever play in an NFL game again. Similarly, Matt Araiza wondered if he would ever get the chance to punt again.

However, thanks to a mix of need and desire, the Chiefs gave both players a chance to continue their careers. Now, Hunt and Araiza are aiming for a Super Bowl title with Kansas City, working towards an unprecedented third consecutive championship.

“It does feel a little bit like redemption, honestly,” Hunt said on Thursday, the last day of a busy week filled with media obligations before the game against the Eagles. “Like it’s a blessing, and it’s meant to be.”

The stories of Hunt and Araiza are similar but also different, with both experiencing incredible highs and tough lows.

Hunt began his NFL career with the Chiefs, drafted in the same class as Patrick Mahomes, who quickly became one of his best friends. As a rookie, Hunt ran for over 1,300 yards and earned a Pro Bowl spot, finishing second to Alvin Kamara in the AP Rookie of the Year voting.

In the next season, as Mahomes took over as starting quarterback, Hunt helped lead the Chiefs to the playoffs. However, in November 2018, a video surfaced showing Hunt kicking a woman in a hotel hallway in Cleveland. While no charges were filed after the woman stopped cooperating, the Chiefs quickly released Hunt.

Hunt went on to sign with the Cleveland Browns, where he served an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s personal-conduct policy. Over the next five years with the Browns, Hunt ran for more than 2,200 yards in a rotation. However, after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, Hunt struggled to find a team, with many being cautious. But when the Chiefs lost Isiah Pacheco to injury, Hunt reached out to coach Andy Reid.

Cleveland Browns players celebrate after his touchdown in the 1st half

“I think Andy has a big heart, and he sees the best in everybody,” Hunt said. “He knows me as a person. He knows everybody. He’s like a father figure to me. He loves giving second chances because he believes in us.”

For Araiza, who was known as “Punt God” for his powerful punts at San Diego State, the Chiefs needed a new punter after Tommy Townsend’s departure. Araiza’s career was paused after a woman filed a lawsuit accusing him of being involved in a gang rape at an off-campus party in 2021. Araiza and other players involved denied the claims, and after an investigation, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced that no charges would be filed.

In July 2023, Araiza filed a defamation lawsuit against the accuser, and both sides agreed to drop the lawsuits in December without admitting any wrongdoing or exchanging money.

“It was a long process,” said Brett Veach, the Chiefs’ general manager. “We go through the whole process with our entire intel and security team. When it came through, we gave the green light, and it was an opportunity for him.”

Araiza has kept quiet about the case, instead focusing on his career. However, during training camp, he admitted there were times when he wondered if he should look for another job.

“Honestly, it kept going back and forth in my mind,” Araiza said. “But yeah, there were a lot of moments where I thought it was over.”

Both Hunt and Araiza have proven they are far from done. Now, they are on track to help the Chiefs win another Super Bowl.

“Just make sure you keep your nose clean, right? That’s the important part,” Reid said. “Go play football. I think people deserve a second chance if they’ve done something to work on the first part of it.”

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NBA (Basketball)

The Cleveland Cavaliers look to keep their strong hold over the Detroit Pistons in Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)

The Pistons struggled defensively on Monday during the second half of a back-to-back and are hoping the Cleveland Cavaliers face the same issue when they visit Detroit on Wednesday.

Detroit started their six-game homestand with two wins but lost to the Atlanta Hawks 132-130 on Monday. Trae Young hit a game-winning shot with 1.6 seconds left, ending Atlanta’s eight-game losing streak.

The Pistons allowed 73 points in the first half, which helped the Hawks regain their confidence.

“I thought defensively, in that first half, we just weren’t good,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. “We weren’t locked in, we weren’t engaged. We gave them comfort and rhythm, and then obviously they have guys that can make plays. If you make it that type of game, they just need to make one more play, and they did that.”

The Pistons matched their second-highest scoring output of the season, so the issue wasn’t on offense. All-Star Cade Cunningham scored 30 points and had 14 assists while the team shot 51.8% from the field.

“We definitely weren’t dialed in on the defensive end (Monday),” reserve center Isaiah Stewart said. “We knew the job that we had to do coming out, obviously we got them at their place. We knew they were coming out with that same energy, so we didn’t match that. We waited too late to try to turn it on.”

Detroit’s record fell back to .500. The Pistons, who won 14 games last season, are now 25-25 and 12-12 at home.

“I feel like we’re a target now, obviously with winning games and turning things around this season,” Stewart said. “Teams are coming to play against us. They know what kind of game it’s going to be.”

Detroit Pistons (NBA)

The Pistons are hoping to end their 11-game losing streak against the Cavaliers, which includes two losses this season. Detroit’s last win over Cleveland was on February 24, 2022.

The Cavaliers lost to Boston 112-105 on Tuesday. Donovan Mitchell led Cleveland with 31 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Darius Garland added 25 points, and Jarrett Allen contributed 17 points and 18 rebounds.

Cleveland All-Star Evan Mobley will be looking to bounce back after struggling in the Boston game, where he scored just seven points on 3-of-14 shooting.

The Cavaliers had their four-game winning streak snapped and will play three of their last four games before the All-Star break on the road.

As the trade deadline approaches, both Cleveland and Detroit players are waiting to see what moves might be made. The Cavaliers aren’t expected to make a major move, but coach Kenny Atkinson said president of basketball operations Koby Altman is considering all options.

“We’re really good, but obviously there could always be something out there that gets us to the next level,” Atkinson said. “My one thing to Koby is that we have great chemistry right now and a great kind of culture, a great locker room culture. That’s super important to me. The continuity thing has really helped, so if it is a trade or buyout (acquisition), it has to be the right fit.”

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NFL (American Football)

Myles Garrett has told the Cleveland Browns that he wants to be traded, shocking fans in Cleveland

Myles Garrett celebrates after sacking Justin Herbert in the 1st half

Myles Garrett has officially asked the Browns to trade him.

“As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal drives me today more than ever,” Garrett said in a statement, which was shared with the Beacon Journal by his agent, Nicole Lynn.

“My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the amazing fans of the Cleveland Browns makes this one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. These past eight years have helped shape me into the person I am today.”

“While I’ve enjoyed calling this city my home, my desire to win and compete at the highest levels won’t let me settle. The goal was never just to go from Cleveland to Canton, it has always been to compete for and win a Super Bowl. With that in mind, I have asked to be traded from the Cleveland Browns.”

Myles Garrett
Myles Garrett (NFL)

A source told the Beacon Journal that the Browns’ position hasn’t changed since general manager Andrew Berry spoke on Jan. 6 and again to reporters last week at the Senior Bowl. Berry has said the team does not plan to trade Garrett, even if they receive multiple first-round draft picks.

“As for Myles, my expectation is that he’ll have a direct path from Cleveland to Canton at the end of his career and that he’ll retire as a Brown,” Berry said on Jan. 6. “When it comes to winning, our goal is always to win. Our goal is always to improve the team.”

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FEATURED

Cavaliers dominate Mavericks in the aftermath of major trade, Cleveland

Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA)

Sam Merrill came off the bench to score a career-high-tying 27 points, including nine 3-pointers, as the Cleveland Cavaliers easily defeated the Dallas Mavericks 144-101 on Sunday afternoon.

It was a tough beginning to a new chapter for Dallas, who made a huge trade about 15 hours before the game, sending Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for star Anthony Davis.

The deal also sent Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to Los Angeles, with a third team, the Utah Jazz, involved. In return for Doncic, the Mavericks received guard Max Christie and the Lakers’ first-round pick in 2029.

Davis didn’t play on Sunday due to the trade and an abdominal muscle injury. Christie was also unavailable.

The distractions from the trade news seemed to affect Dallas, as they struggled in their game against Cleveland. The Cavaliers wasted no time in taking control, shooting 9-for-11 from beyond the arc in the first quarter to take a 50-19 lead by the end of the period. It was Cleveland’s highest-scoring quarter of the season.

Dallas Mavericks (NBA)

The Cavaliers made history by scoring 91 points in the first half, the most they’ve ever scored in a half. Caris LeVert, Max Strus, and Donovan Mitchell hit 3-pointers during a 13-2 run to end the second quarter, pushing Cleveland’s lead to 91-46 at halftime.

Jarrett Allen extended the lead to over 100 points with a hook shot early in the third quarter, and the Cavaliers maintained a lead of at least 40 points for the rest of the game.

Evan Mobley had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds, and Darius Garland also recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 assists. Cleveland had eight players in double figures, with Allen contributing 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Cavaliers made 26 3-pointers out of 45 attempts.

Jaden Hardy led Dallas with 21 points off the bench, while Dante Exum added 14 points. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) missed the game for the Mavericks.

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FEATURED

In Cleveland, the Cavaliers put up 91 points in the first half, dominating the shorthanded Mavericks after the Doncic trade

Donovan Mitchell shoots a 3-point in the 1st half

The Cavaliers blew out the shorthanded Mavericks with a huge first half performance.

Cleveland scored 91 points, tying the third-most ever in an NBA first half, and went on to win 144-101 over Dallas, which was missing key players due to injuries and the trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier that day.

The top-ranked Cavs (40-9) set several franchise records, including for most 3-pointers (26), most points in a quarter (50 in the first), and largest first-half lead (45). Cleveland also tied their record for 3-pointers in a half by hitting 16 in the first 24 minutes.

“Everyone was just locked in even with the trade and everything that was going on today,” said Cavs All-Star forward Evan Mobley, who scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in just 23 minutes. “We started hot and kept our foot on the gas.”

The Phoenix Suns hold the record for most points in a first half with 107 against Denver in 1990. The Golden State Warriors scored 92 against Chicago in 2018, and the Houston Rockets hit 91 against Brooklyn in 2022.

Late in the first half, Sam Merrill, who finished with 27 points and nine 3-pointers for Cleveland, thought anything was possible.

“We were at 80 (points) with like four minutes left and I was like, ‘Man, let’s try to get 100,’” Merrill said. “But these games aren’t always easy. I’ve been a part of games where everyone is out and it’s a close game because it’s hard to have the right mindset in a game like this.”

“It’s such a credit to the starters to come out and play the right way and communicate and defend and share the basketball. To get out to that big lead and then the bench guys come in and keep it going. I’ve been a part of some 80s but 90 (at halftime) is crazy.”

Sam Merrill reacts in the 1st half

Dallas coach Jason Kidd and the Mavericks arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse still processing the trade of Dončić to LA for center Anthony Davis. Kidd then had to face the Cavs without Kyrie Irving and several other injured players.

The game didn’t go well, and Kidd was thankful it wasn’t worse.

“No one got hurt and we were able to give guys time who usually don’t get time,” Kidd said. “We just got off to a slow start. They shot the 3 at a high level and they’ve done that all year.”

Cleveland showed no mercy, making 9 of 11 3-pointers in the first quarter and taking a 31-point lead. They hit seven more in the second quarter and finished 16 of 22 (73%) on 3-pointers in the half.

The scoring spree continued in the second half, and when the Cavs neared their team record for 3-pointers late in the game, Merrill heard his teammates urging him to shoot.

“There was definitely encouragement,” he said. “I didn’t know why everyone was yelling but I figured that was why.”

Merrill’s 3-pointer with 1:49 left broke the previous team record of 25 3-pointers. He missed another a few seconds later, and even Tristan Thompson, who has 10 career 3-pointers in 13 seasons, tried but missed a long-range shot.

It was a much-needed breakout game for Merrill, who had been struggling with his shot. He went 0 for 4 on 3-pointers in the previous game against Atlanta and is shooting 33% from behind the arc this season, five points below his career average.

“It feels good to have a great shooting game like that, but it’s only one game,” Merrill said. “It’s all about getting into a rhythm. There were times this year where I felt I was starting to get into a rhythm and then last game I got sick. So one game was fun but we move on to the next one.”