J.B. Bickerstaff's impressive start with the Cavaliers has been rewarded.
The former Gophers player and Timberwolves assistant coach, who has Cleveland playing its best basketball this season since taking over when John Beilein suddenly resigned last month, has agreed to a multiyear contract with the team Tuesday.
Bickerstaff was promoted after Beilein stepped down after 54 games in his first season. He had been serving as an associate head coach under the 67-year-old Beilein. Under Bickerstaff, the Cavs are 5-6 following Tuesday's loss to the Bulls.
Bickerstaff previously was on the staff at Minnesota, Houston and Memphis before coming to Cleveland.
Brooklyn 104, L.A. Lakers 102: Spencer Dinwiddie scored 23 points and Caris LaVert 22 to spark the upset of the Lakers in Los Angeles. LeBron James scored 29 points and had 12 rebounds and nine assists and Anthony Davis scored 26 points but missed a wide-open three at the buzzer that would have won it.
Boston 114, Indiana 111: Marcus Smart's bank shot in the final minute gave the Celtics the lead after the team blew a 19-point advantage and they held on in Indianapolis to clinch a playoff spot for a sixth consecutive year.
Portland 121, Phoenix 105: Damian Lillard scored 25 points to lift the Trail Blazers over the Suns in Portland. Ex-Timberwolves Dario Saric (24 points and 11 rebounds) and Ricky Rubio (21 points, nine assists) led the Suns.
San Antonio 119, Dallas 109: LaMarcus Aldridge had 24 points in his return from injury and the Spurs withstood Luka Doncic's 38 points to beat the Mavericks in San Antonio.
