CLEVELAND -- Before Delonte West headed to the locker room, Mo Williams grabbed his troubled teammate and pulled him close.

Williams wanted West to hear something and whispered in his ear.

"I told him, 'Stay with us,'" Williams said.

West scored 13 points -- all in the second half -- in his delayed season debut to spark Cleveland, Williams had 24, and LeBron James added an unselfish 14 as the Cavaliers, finally at full strength, beat Charlotte 90-79 on Saturday night.

Williams made four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and James added nine assists and seven rebounds for the Cavs, 2-2 after an 0-2 start.

West's turbulent offseason finally brought him back to the floor. After missing all eight preseason games and Cleveland's first three of the regular season to deal with personal issues, West was cleared by team doctors, ending more than a month of drama.

He went 5-of-7 from the field and had two rebounds, two assists and a technical in 24 minutes.

"I thought he played terrific. He's been off and we had to walk him through a few plays here and there," Williams said, chuckling. "But besides that, he's just a basketball player. He knows the game. He knows the spots on the floor. He's familiar with us and it was great to have him back."

Vladimir Radmanovic scored 12 points, and D.J. Augustin and Gerald Wallace 11 apiece to lead Charlotte, which has never won in Cleveland.

West's off-court issues have threatened to derail the Cavs' plans to make a strong run at an NBA title. As much as the team has tried to downplay West's absences and insisted that he has not been a distraction, his cloudy and delicate situation has lingered.

Cavs general manager Danny Ferry has been working closely with team doctors and a support team around West. The team had "loosely" targeted Cleveland's second home game as West's return date, Ferry said, and the parties came to a consensus before Saturday's game.

"Steps were followed and this is the next step of his process," Ferry said. "We're taking it one day at a time, but he's doing well."

West, who has not spoken to reporters since media day last month, was not available for comment following the game.

His teammates were more than happy to do that for him.

"He's important to our team," James said. "He can sit out for two weeks and he comes back in and he's right in the flow. I've said it before, he's just that type of guy."

"It's vital that we have everybody as we take this journey," Shaquille O'Neal said.

The 26-year-old West, who has been treated in the past for bipolar disorder, was arrested in September for carrying three concealed weapons. He reported to training camp on time but missed the Cavs' first four practices without an excuse. He came back but then left for a week to deal with his personal matters.

Last week, West's wife filed a domestic violence report against him.

But that was all in the past -- for at least one night.

West hardly looked like he had missed any time, and his return had Cleveland's offense playing better than it has so far in this early season.

"We had a nice flow, and I think that helped him a lot, that we weren't struggling," Williams said. "He just came in and did what he did. He was confident. He made his plays. He made all the right decisions."

The Cavaliers trailed 46-45 early in the third before going on a 21-8 run -- much of it with O'Neal on the bench -- to open a 14-point lead entering the fourth. West was a factor in helping the Cavs distance themselves from the Bobcats, who were understandably exhausted after playing two overtimes Friday in a win over New York.

The Cavs are still getting used to playing with O'Neal, who made his first free throws of the season after 10 consecutive misses. He added eight points and five rebounds in 26 minutes. Zydrunas Ilgauskas, coming off the bench behind O'Neal, went 5-for-5 from the floor and had five blocks.

"Myself and him," O'Neal said. "We are the best center in the game."
James didn't have to dominate -- not that he couldn't have.

"LeBron got 14, but he could have had 50, the way he played," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said. "He's so unselfish."
 

MINNEAPOLIS -- LeBron James scored 24 points to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to their first victory of the season, 104-87 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. James took most of the fourth quarter off, finishing with nine rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes and avoiding his first 0-3 start in five years. He shot 10 for 18 from the field while the Cavaliers used the renovated Timberwolves to revive their defense, which allowed an average of 98 points in defeats by Boston and Toronto this week. They were better offensively, too. Mo Williams added 20 points, Zydrunas Ilgauskus had 11 of his 15 points in the first half to help make up for some early lulls, and Daniel Gibson drained three 3-pointers during a 3-minute stretch of the fourth quarter to end any faint hope the Wolves had of repeating their rally from two nights earlier. Al Jefferson, working his way back into form from knee surgery last February, had a quiet 12 points and eight rebounds with Shaquille O'Neal jockeying for room with him underneath. Jefferson wished aloud beforehand he hadn't lost those 30 pounds during rehab, because of this matchup with the behemoth O'Neal, who had six points and seven rebounds. Jonny Flynn had 17 points for the Wolves, who again missed Kevin Love's rebounding ability. They overcame that deficiency to turn a 16-point deficit against New Jersey on Wednesday into a buzzer-beating victory. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown discussed his team's "bunker mentality" before the game, touting the importance of blocking out external expectations and criticism and joking that some of his relatives are afraid to call him because he's so focused on the job. James -- "The King" as his new extra-large teammate has simply called him -- usually doesn't break a sweat. If the stress of a losing streak to start this critical season, which could be his last in Cleveland, was getting to James, he wouldn't show it. During the 12-2 run the Cavs used to stretch their lead late in the second quarter, James was the picture of cool. He spent the first part of the period on the bench, watching the Wolves take a pair of one-point leads with their subs in, but shortly after re-entry he finished a fast break with a determined drive and spin dribble for a layup, foul and three-point play. Then after a steal by Anthony Parker, James raced to the hoop again and threw down a dunk from a foot or so inside the free throw line. His pull-up jumper gave the Cavs their biggest lead of the half, 51-38. At one point, a whistle stopped a transition and a couple of teammates faked like they were going to follow through on an alley-oop. James joined in and pretended to dunk the ball backward over his head, flashing a big smile. Game notes Delonte West was inactive again for the Cavaliers. He hasn't played yet because of personal issues. ... Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis was given permission from the medical staff to stretch Jefferson's playing time. Bothered by a sore Achilles' tendon this month, Jefferson played 25 minutes on Wednesday. The key will be how he feels the day after. "During the game he's probably going to feel fine," Rambis said. "We just don't want to stress him too much that we send him backwards." ... Vikings offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie, who could probably post up Shaq at 6-foot-8 and 335 pounds, sat courtside. He posted a picture on his Twitter feed and exclaimed: "I'm so close I can trip the ref!" Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

The Cavaliers have the highest of expectations this season and certainly did not
 expect an 0-2 begining to the season.   After losses to the Celtics and Raptors
 the Cavs wrap up their roadtrip certainly expecting a win tonite against the 
 youthful Minnesota Timberwolves.

 The Big early season problem for the Cavs has been getting the "Big Fella"
 Shaquille Oneal to fit in on both ends of the floor.  Shaq is shooting just
  48 percent from the field compared to his career average of 58 percent.

  The Cavs will be running into an upbeat Minnesota team, that rallied from
  16 points down with less than 7 minutes to play to beat New Jersey on
  Wednesday, 95-93.  Wolves 1st year Coach Kurt Rambis said,
  "They didn't quit."

   Hear all the action on WTAM 1100. Tip off with Joe Tait at 8p

   Cavs notes:

   Lebron James recorded his 25th career triple-double in Wednesdays loss
   to the Raptors. 

   James is shooting 46 percent in the first two games, but the 8 other Cavs
   who've seen action are making just 34.8 percent of their shots.

(Cleveland) - Shaquille O’Neal is looking to continue a sideline career in law enforcement now that he's in Ohio playing for the Cavaliers.

Spokesman John O’Brien with the Cuyahoga county sheriff's office says the Cavs center has applied to become a special deputy, with the right to carry a gun and make arrests. However, O’Neal would not be a paid, formal employee of the sheriff's department.

He previously served roles with law enforcement agencies in Arizona, Virginia and Florida.

The sheriff has forwarded the application to the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy, which is considering the request to deputize O’Neal. Holly Hollingsworth, a spokeswoman for the Ohio Attorney General, says if O’Neal is approved he'd have six months to undergo 36 hours of police training and would have to take the Ohio police exam.

(Copyright 2009 by the Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

TORONTO -- Andrea Bargnani scored 28 points, Chris Bosh had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and the Toronto Raptors overcame LeBron James' 25th career triple-double to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 on Wednesday night. James had 23 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, but Cleveland opened its season with consecutive losses for the first time since an 0-3 start in 2004-05. James scored 38 points in Tuesday's 95-89 home loss to Boston. Mo Williams scored 16 points and Shaquille O'Neal had 12 for Cleveland, which had won five straight over Toronto and nine of 10. Hedo Turkoglu scored 12 points in his Raptors debut and Marco Belinelli had 10. Jose Calderon had 11 assists for Toronto. Trailing 78-71 to start the fourth, Cleveland coach Mike Brown left James on the bench and Toronto took advantage, outscoring the Cavaliers 9-3 and building an 87-74 lead by the time James returned with 8:40 remaining. Even with James back, Cleveland struggled to cut into the lead. A pair of free throws by Williams and a 3-pointer by Gibson cut it to 93-83 with 4:06 left, but Antoine Wright answered with a 3-pointer for Toronto. James wasn't done, making one free throw, then following up a miss from the line with a 3-pointer from the top to cut it to 96-90 with 1:37 left. Toronto guard Jarrett Jack stopped the run with a free throw and, after James made one more from the line, Turkoglu made a free throw and Calderon converted a three-point play. Bargnani had 13 points in the first while James was held to just three, making one of three shots, as Toronto led 27-22. Belinelli had 10 points, Bargnani scored eight more and the Raptors shot 10 for 17 in the second as the Cavaliers stumbled, going just 6 for 22. Toronto closed the second on a 16-7 run and led 57-39 at the break. James made four of Cleveland's six shots in the second and had 14 points at the half. It was Toronto's turn to go cold in the third, as the Raptors shot 5 for 15. Cleveland, meanwhile, used five 3-pointers to get back into it, and trailed 78-71 heading into the fourth. Game notes Cleveland was an NBA-best 16-3 in the second game of back-to-backs last season. ... Raptors guard Jose Calderon was honored at center court before the game for posting an NBA-record 98.1 free throw percentage last season, making 151 of 154. Calderon later missed his first two free throws. ... Cleveland's last loss to Toronto had been a 91-82 defeat on Nov. 30, 2007, a game that James skipped because of a sprained left index finger. ... James scored a career-high 56 points in a 105-98 loss at Toronto on March 20, 2005. Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

The Cavaliers have a lot of talent, but it's going to take some time to put it all together, which was very obvious in last nites 95-89 loss to the Boston Celtics.
 The Celtics with their Big 3 once again whole, with the return of Kevin Garnett joining (Paul Pierce and Ray Allen) plus the addition of Rasheed Wallace may be the team the Cavs will have to go through if they are to realize their championship dream .

Cavs did lead by 14 in the 1st quarter, but once the Celtics got rolling, they were much more finely tuned, than the sputtering Cavs.
Lebron James lead the Cavs with 38 points, but very often, the Cavs appeared tentative and uncomfortable on the floor. Shaquille Oneal had 10 points and 10 rebounds in his Q-debut, but after making his first 3 shots, he was only 2 of 8 shooting.
 The Cavaliers are team that needs practice time, but they won't get that chance tonite as they are in Toronto.
 It's the home opener for the Raptors, who are lead by Forward Chris Bosh and off-season acquisition Forward, Hedo Turgoglu.

7p Tip with Tait on WTAM 1100
 
Delonte update:

Troubled guard Delonte West attended last nites opener, but was not in uniform. GM Danny Ferry told WTAM's Andre Knott, that he did not feel Delonte was ready to play.

Ferry gave no time frame for a return by West, who was certainly missed on the floor.

With West's status uncertain, the Cavs may be in the market to acquire another guard and there is some interest in veteran free agent Antonio Daniels.
 
Stay tuned.

CLEVELAND -- The reunited Big Three -- and Rasheed -- are one up on the Big Two. Fast Fact • The Celtics won on opening night for the third straight year and for the second straight season against the Cavaliers. • The victory snapped Boston's eight-game losing streak at Cleveland. • The Cavs were defeated in their first home game this season. Cleveland's first home loss last season came in its 24th home game (Feb. 8 vs. Lakers). • LeBron James set a career high for points scored on opening night with 38. • The Celtics' bench outscored the Cavs' bench 26-10. -- ESPN Stats & Information Paul Pierce scored 23 points, Ray Allen 16 and Kevin Garnett 13 in his first regular-season game since last March as the Boston Celtics beat Cleveland 95-89 on Tuesday night in the NBA season opener, spoiling the hyped debut of the Cavaliers with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal. Pierce made two crucial jumpers and two free throws in the final 1:03 to pace the Celtics, whose drive to a second straight title was derailed when Garnett injured his knee late last season. Rasheed Wallace, added as a free agent during the offseason, had 12 points. Making A Push Tuesday's opener between the Celtics and the Cavs may have been won in the second quarter, where Boston outperformed host Cleveland. Celtics vs. Cavs 2nd Quarter Celtics* Cavs Points 30 17 FG 9-15 5-16 3-pt FG 5-6 0-3 Bench Points 10 2 *Trailed 28-21 entering 2nd quarter James scored 38 and O'Neal added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who won their first 23 home games last season but are already 0-1 on their floor. Boston's road win also snapped a 16-game winning streak at home in games between the Celtics and Cavaliers. Because of the 14-time All-Star O'Neal's addition, the Cavaliers have gotten the bulk of the preseason attention and are a trendy pick to win their first NBA title. The Celtics may have other plans. Garnett looked fully recovered from surgery to repair his right knee. Allen stroked a couple 3s, and Pierce was his cold-blooded best down the stretch. After James missed a 3-pointer that would have brought Cleveland within one, Pierce stuck a 15-footer to make it 89-83. Cleveland turned it over when newly acquired Anthony Parker couldn't handle a pass from James, and Pierce made the Cavs pay again with a second dagger from the outside. Pierce had 11 rebounds, Garnett 10 and Rajon Rondo added 10 assists for Boston. James was in MVP form, but this wasn't the debut the Cavs envisioned. Their offense sputtered as coach Mike Brown feared, and their defense didn't do a good job on the perimeter and was missing one of its key components, guard Delonte West, who was inactive for the game and whose future seems uncertain in Cleveland. The Cavaliers began their quest for a title without the troubled but valuable West, who has had a turbulent offseason dealing with medical and personal issues. General manager Danny Ferry and a support team helping the guard decided West was not ready to play. West has bipolar disorder and blamed an arrest last month on weapons charges near his home in Maryland on not staying with his medications. As the Cavs were introduced before the game, West leaned against a wall in the tunnel leading to Cleveland's locker room. The circus-like atmosphere outside the arena was more befitting an NBA finals game in June than an October opener. Cleveland fans have been waiting months for this night, the tip-off to a season already unlike any in the franchise's 40-year history. On the other side of Ontario Street, a billboard said, "It Begins." What matters to the Cavs, though, is how it ends. James finished with eight assists, made four 3-poiners and delivered two spectacular chase-down blocks. Wearing a pair of headphones with blue Yankees pinstripes and NY logo, James, who can become a free agent after the season, stretched out before the game in the locker room listening to Young Jeezy's "24, 23," a song that includes lyrics about Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant and James. "I used to play Kobe, but now I play LeBron," James rapped loudly while eyeing a flat-screen TV. He wasn't singing afterward. The Cavaliers came out intent on running the Celtics out as they did late last season in a 31-point win at home. Cleveland broke out to a 13-2 lead, went up 19-5 on a short jumper by O'Neal and led 28-21 after one. The Cavs' defensive highlight of the period -- and maybe one for the season -- came when James chased down the speedy Rondo and rejected his dunk attempt. But as happened so many times in the past, the Cavs' offense bogged down when James went to the bench and the Celtics heated up. Allen made two 3-pointers and scored 11 in the second quarter and the Celtics made seven 3s while opening a 51-45 halftime lead. James had a basket taken away when the officials reviewed a layup in the final minute. It was the first use of the NBA's expanded instant-replay system, which allows officials to check to see if a shot has gotten off before the 24-second shot clock expires. Game notes O'Neal joked that he would miss injured Boston forward Glen Davis. "They call him Big Baby for a reason," cracked the Big Diesel. "Because he's my son." ... The Cavs have shown interest in free agent G Antonio Daniels, who had his contract bought by Minnesota during the preseason. Brown and Ferry worked with Daniels in San Antonio. "I like him as a person," Brown said. "He's a veteran guard with some size who has won a championship." Daniels cleared waivers on Tuesday. ... Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sat courtside. He and James are friends, and Big Ben competed against O'Neal this summer on the Shaq Vs. TV series. Copyright by STATS LLC and The Associated Press

THE MOST ANTICIPATED OPENER IN FRANCHISE HISTORY TAKES PLACE TONITE AS THE CAVALIERS HOST THE BOSTON CELTICS AT THE Q. (730 TIP ON WTAM 1100)

THE CAVS ARE COMING OFF OF A 66 WIN SEASON, BUT A DISAPPOINTING POST SEASON AS THEY FAILED TO REACH THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, WHEN THEY WERE OUSTED BY THE ORLANDO MAGIC.
 THE CAVS THAN WENT ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF STRENGHTENING THEIR ROSTER WITH THE STUNNING ACQUISITION OF SHAQUILLE ONEAL. THE PAIRING OF SHAQ WITH LEBRON HAS BEEN THE TALK OF THE NBA AND IS PROBABLY THE LEAD STORYLINE AS THE SEASON BEGINS.

 SHAQ SAYS HIS ONLY GOAL IS TO "GET A RING FOR THE KING."

TROUBLED GUARD DELONTE WEST IS QUESTIONABLE FOR TONITES GAME. WEST DID NOT PLAY IN A PRESEASON GAME, BUT HAS BEEN PRACTICING WITH THE TEAM.
 
CAVS-CELTICS COULD BE A PREVIEW OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS. THE CELTICS HAVE A HEALTHY KEVIN GARNETT AND ACQUIRED VETERAN FORWARD RASHEED WALLACE THIS OFF SEASON

. GAME NOTES

: IN THE LAST 16 MEETINGS BETWEEN THE CAVS AND CELTICS, THE HOME TEAM HAS WON EACH TIME.

 LEBRON JAMES HAS SCORED 12,993 POINTS IN 6 REGULAR SEASONS AND WITH HIS 7TH POINT TONITE HE WILL REACH 13-THOUSAND AND BECOME THE YOUNGEST PLAYER IN NBA HISTORY TO REACH THAT TOTAL

. FACT-ABOUT-SHAQ: HIS FULL NAME IS SHAQUILLE RASHAUN O'NEAL (HIS FIRST AND MIDDLE NAMES MEAN "LITTLE WARRIOR" IS ISLAM)

(Independence) - The wife of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West has filed a domestic violence report against her husband.

The report, filed Sunday, says that Kimberly West met with police at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, where she had gone to fly to her father's house in New Jersey.

In the report, she says that Delonte West had accused her of cheating on him and that they had argument in which he grabbed her and took her wedding ring and purse.

Police said Monday the case remains under investigation and that no charges have been filed.

Cavaliers Coach Mike Brown says the team is aware of the report and is monitoring the situation.

West has not appeared in any preseason games and Brown has not decided whether West will be active for the season opener Tuesday against Boston. He attended the Cavs' practice Monday.

(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)