ducks
04-20-2005, 01:44 PM
McInnis Doesn't Travel With Cavaliers
Wed Apr 20,10:59 AM ET
CLEVELAND - Cavaliers point guard Jeff McInnis, whose benching last month led to the firing of coach Paul Silas, did not accompany the team to its final regular-season game in Toronto on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, McInnis started against Boston but didn't score in six minutes before being replaced by Eric Snow. McInnis didn't rejoin his teammates on the bench for the second half until midway through the third quarter, and when he was there, he remained in his seat with a towel wrapped around his head.
The Cavs said he had a "viral syndrome," but didn't give any other specifics. McInnis said his stomach hurt while declining interviews after Cleveland's 100-86 win over the Celtics.
Cleveland needs to win on Wednesday in Toronto and hope New Jersey (41-40) loses at Boston to get the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers (41-40) were once 31-21 before things began to unravel. The Nets own the tiebreaker against the Cavs.
McInnis, who will be a free agent after the season, was benched by Silas when Cleveland played in Toronto on March 20. The next day, Silas was fired and replaced by assistant coach Brendan Malone.
In 76 games, McInnis is averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 assists.
He came to the Cavaliers in a trade last season from Portland. McInnis' arrival fixed Cleveland's point guard problems, but an ankle injury cost him to miss playing time and the Cavaliers slid out of the playoff race.
Wed Apr 20,10:59 AM ET
CLEVELAND - Cavaliers point guard Jeff McInnis, whose benching last month led to the firing of coach Paul Silas, did not accompany the team to its final regular-season game in Toronto on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, McInnis started against Boston but didn't score in six minutes before being replaced by Eric Snow. McInnis didn't rejoin his teammates on the bench for the second half until midway through the third quarter, and when he was there, he remained in his seat with a towel wrapped around his head.
The Cavs said he had a "viral syndrome," but didn't give any other specifics. McInnis said his stomach hurt while declining interviews after Cleveland's 100-86 win over the Celtics.
Cleveland needs to win on Wednesday in Toronto and hope New Jersey (41-40) loses at Boston to get the final playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers (41-40) were once 31-21 before things began to unravel. The Nets own the tiebreaker against the Cavs.
McInnis, who will be a free agent after the season, was benched by Silas when Cleveland played in Toronto on March 20. The next day, Silas was fired and replaced by assistant coach Brendan Malone.
In 76 games, McInnis is averaging 12.8 points and 5.1 assists.
He came to the Cavaliers in a trade last season from Portland. McInnis' arrival fixed Cleveland's point guard problems, but an ankle injury cost him to miss playing time and the Cavaliers slid out of the playoff race.