Z for 3! That was the topic at practice today, the first triple for Zydrunas in nearly 4 years, coming against the Bulls. That was a designed play by the way, an open look from the corner, off a LeBron/Mo pick and roll. Z felt it was ironic that he drilled the 22 footer when he couldn't buy one of his patented face up J's. Drew Gooden, who was guarding Z for the first time ever, asked Z, "hey, where was that play when I was here?"

Z joked he's the best shooting 3 man on the team right now, based on percentage. He's 1 for 2 at 50% (actually he's 2^nd, Delonte's at 54%). Mike Brown says Z has the green light to shoot it if he's open, but looked into one of the TV cameras today and said, "Ben, I love, you, but that shot is not for you, or you, Andy". Boobie says Z has that shot in his arsenal, but when asked if the big fella could hold his own with Daniel in a 3 point shooting contest, the answer, with a smile..."nah...no way!"

Z joked he might now get an invite to the All-Star shootout in Phoenix this February, but since his teammates rode him more about his 2 point air ball instead of marveling at his triple stroke, the NBA might skip that phone call.

See you in Cavaliers Live, at 7pm, prior to the Cavs and Pacers.

That Drew Gooden smile is back in town, the man with the infectious personality, and a strong rebounding game to boot comes back to The Q for the 2^nd time since the trade. He says he misses his teammates, and Cleveland in general, and playing at The Q feels like home. That being said, he will try his best to beat his old team tonight, as Ben Wallace will want to do the same against the Bulls.

Drew is playing center these days...yep, the "5" spot. He had 20 rebounds over the weekend against Memphis. He finally gets to go against Z. He joked since he is a captain now, he will warn referees about Z going over his back to try and tip in shots. Drew says this is the first time he'll get to go against Zydrunas head-to-head, and that includes practice.

You'll also notice #90 has inserted dread locks into his beard, because, as he says he can't do it on top. He calls it "Johnny" after Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean character.

Speaking of follicles, Daniel Gibson's latest barber shop creation has the #51 in a star on the side of his head. You see, Monday night in Dallas, when Byron Gibson and the clan drove in to see the Cavs play, he mentioned no one in the family was wishing him a happy birthday, which was yesterday, but, at the same time, he didn't want any mention of his age. So, I guess you can't have it both ways...thus, Boobie has a 51 in a star for TV tonight, wishing his pop a Happy Birthday, but telling the world Dad is 51. Daniel gets to have the final word on this one!

See you tonight in the broadcast on Fox Sports Ohio, starting with Cavaliers Live at 7:30.

Back home with a 2-2 record - considering three road games at three 50+ win teams from a season ago, Boston, New Orleans and Dallas, you'd take this start. The next four games are against teams which failed to make the playoffs, but if you said that to Mike Brown, he'd just say we're not looking past the Bulls...period. It's that hammer swing at a time that will serve this group well...and so is their defense. I thought the effort in Dallas was there for 48 minutes.  This is a championship defensive team, when everyone is on a string as they were against the Mavericks.

Ben Wallace is having an impact again, not only rebounding, but with his toughness, and everyone else is following suit. Delonte's length was in full display with those three steals in the opening quarter, and the Cavs never looked back. Offensively, this team will find ways to score, as it did against the Mavericks and Bobcats.

But I must admit, the highlight of my trip to Big D wasn't Wally's baseline drive and crush, or Ben's two handed rejection of Dirk Nowitzki, or even LeBron's repeated touches in the low post. Nope...it was meeting Mike Brown's sister-in-law after the game. You see, she is the identical twin of Mike's wife, Carolyn. I knew they were identical, but I became a babbling fool, when introduced to her, because Liz is AN IDENTICAL TWIN, to the point she even sounds like Carolyn. I'm sure I wasn't alone in this mis-identicification, and I'm sure Liz and Carolyn probably played tricks on teachers in school along the way, but you had to see it to believe it!!! 

If you are old enough to remember the old TV commercial for the double mint twins, for Wrigley's gum, Liz and Carolyn would give them a run for their money. They would fit right in for twins day in Twinsburg.  Every time I see Mrs. Brown at The Q, I will now pause, turn my head, and say hi...Carolyn?

Vooooooo-do! That's Halloween New Orleans style.  It's Mardis Gras with monsters I guess...

Canal Street is a parking lot and the French Quarter?  No ghosts and goblins necessary for a party.

I saw Marilyn Monroe with pink hair (a Mary Kay salesperson by day, no doubt) Miss Piggie looked a little haggard, and Jackie Moon  from the movie, Semi-Pro had an adult beverage in hand (in training for another Miami Tropics season naturally..Will Ferrell would have been proud).

Yes, we're in the Big Easy, where the game with the Hornets will be anything but.

Two teams who came within one win of being in their respective Conference Finals, and both thinking championship will be the match-up on FOX Sports Ohio.

It's the Hornets home opener, so it will be wild...their first sellout was for the Cavs' visit 10 months ago..and the turnstiles haven't stopped since.

LeBron against CP3 is how it will be billed...but both teams offer more than just an MVP candidate.  LBJ said recently, he developed a close friendship with Chris Paul during their gold medal run.

Daniel Gibson says he'll have family making the drive from Houston..check out his interview by clicking here.

Hey all...sitting courtside in Boston. It's already electric. Got a look at the Celts' championship ring before they have been handed out and it's massive! Silver, with a square top you could park a car on. It's got a Celtic shamrock in the middle, encrusted with diamonds...on one side it has the players' name, and on the other side, it says "banner 17"..inside, it has Red Auerbach's name engraved. Very nice...

Now, I'd say it's time to have 'em made for Cleveland...

Here's a little banner play by play - John Havlicek came out with the trophy and handed it over to Paul Pierce. Commish, David Stern is here of course (the Cavs went back to the locker room as they said they would).

One by one...the front office has received their rings. Huge ovation for Danny Ainge as you might guess. This truly is what it's about, it's what drives everyone who takes part in a title. Doc Rivers got a huge standing "O"...well deserved...Doc is a class act.

Here comes the Big 3...Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. This stuff is all new to the young generation, who weren't around for the last title in 1985. You can close your eyes and just imagine this moment at The Q....wow!!!

Some quick observations - the Cavs are really getting the ball up the floor, off makes and misses...

And the ball is constantly moving...good signs!

Doc Rivers was incensed a while ago when Wally got the foul instead of LBJ's 2nd.

LeBron slid over to the "4" with a 16-8 lead...I love seeing him there...it will make him even more of a beast when he moves back to the "3".

The 2nd unit is hanging in there. Good presence from Lorenzen Wright - a bucket and interior toughness. Daniel's work on the floater continues to pay off...

Mike said he was going to try and go 10 deep...he has tonight...LBJ sat 6:30...

Mike will talk about protecting the ball - 10 turnovers - far too many, but luckily the Celtics have only cashed them in for 5 points.

But they are getting to the line - 21 times - a big number. They've outscored Boston, 19-9 at the stripe...

How about 'Bron's high handoff from Delonte...I thought the pass was headed out of bounds...Sick!!

The Celtics had gone 0-9 from 3 in the first half, but bagged those 2 early ones...that's where they'll miss Posey. Those opportunity 3's.

The FT disparity has evened up as the Celtics shot 10 of them in the quarter. The Cavs did not get to the line.

Great verbal battle between Sasha and Pierce...the entire Cavs bench was up when Sasha drew that last foul and got to the line..

Andy's energy right now is off the charts...

After Thoughts from Boston

These two teams picked up right where they left off in May...tough, physical basketball. To win in the garden, you literally have to beat Boston and they are not going to hand it to you.

22 turnovers were just too many to overcome. Mike Brown pointed to those mistakes and those 50-50 balls as he likes to call them - the loose balls that hit the floor. The Celtics won that dual.

The guys felt they played hard, just too many errors, and shots they missed, but the Celtics deserve a lot of credit for that.

Tony Allen and Leon Powe were huge, combining for 24 lunch bucket kind of points.

Andy was all over the floor in the 4th, answering any questions about how close he is to being 100%.

It's a long season...this kind of effort on the road will win a lot of ballgames.