The Cleveland Cavaliers Are On A One-Game Winning Streak

Your morning roundup for Feb. 12, the day Mars-commute impregnating became a non-starter in the name of continuing the colony.

• There was joy in Mudville, for the Cleveland Cavaliers escaped with an overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers to end their 26-game losing streak. But it seems as if even victory wasn't good enough for Coach Byron Scott who said, "[W]ith about a minute left in the game, I looked up and said, 'If we'd have played this hard the last game, we would have won.'" No wire hangers ever. [ Cleveland Plain Dealer]

• Nine days after a game in which Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro crumpled after a one-punch fight with Penguins goalie Brent Johnson, the teams met again last night. Some numbers: 14 fighting majors, 21 misconducts and 346 penalty minutes. End result: Islanders 9, Penguins 3. Here's video of the game highlights. Here's video of the fights. [ NHL]

• Jadeveon Clowney is considered the nation's top high school football player. Since he's likely to announce on Monday where his talents will be taken, the nation's paper of record saw fit to discuss "his poor academic record." [ New York Times]

• On the likelihood of labor peace (and a deadline extension) between NFL owners and the players union, Joe Linta, an agent for three dozen players including Joe Flacco, said, "If I still believe in Santa Claus, I still have hope." [ Journal News]

• When the Chicago Bulls visit town on April 1, the Detroit Pistons will retire Dennis Rodman's jersey. Pistons rookie Greg Monroe will be permitted to wear No. 10 for the rest of the year. Then, he's expected to switch over to a Badgley Mischka two-piece which blends Detroit's ruggedness with just a flair of its elegance. [ Detroit Free Press]

• Speaking of elegance in Detroit, LeBron James played there last night. He exchanged words with a fan about dignity and respect.

"I don't care what you say to me. I don't give a [expletive] what you say," James said to the fan. "But don't be disrespectful."

Which translates into the fact that he does give a [expletive] what you say. [ ESPN]

• Former White Sox executive David Wilder admits "he took kickbacks from signing bonuses and contract buyouts to secure Latin American prospects." [ Chicago Sun Times]

• Manchester United's Javier "Chicharito" Hernández uses a Powerade ad to counter BBC Top Gear host Richard Hammond, who said, "I'm sorry, but just imagine waking up and remembering you're Mexican." This, after Hammonds and the BBC apologized. [ Guanabee]

• And, finally, from the "Hickey's Biased" coverage files ... The Sixers beat the Spurs last night; I've already heard a bunch of folks talking about this team like they're a legitimate first-round-playoff-loss contender. This will escalate now [ Philadelphia Inquirer]. ... Fox Soccer Channel will replay Man U/Man City at 8 p.m. eastern in case you didn't awaken at 7:30 a.m. (4:30 a.m. in Seattle) to watch [ Fox Sports].

**** Good morning. What's new with you?