CLEVELAND -- Mike Brown exited the Cavaliers' 102-100 victory over visiting Toronto on Tuesday with his 300th win as Cavs coach.
That puts him third on the franchise's all-time list, trailing only Lenny Wilkens (316) and Bill Fitch (304). Brown could move to second by the end of the season, and he will have to if the Cavs are to make the playoffs. The Cavs are 4 1/2 games behind Atlanta for the eighth and final spot in the Eastern Conference. They only have 10 games left, beginning Wednesday at Detroit.
Either way, it's tough to argue that the Cavs have played better lately. They're 12-11 since Feb. 7 -- which is when acting general manager David Griffin replaced Chris Grant, who was fired. That can be a little deceiving, though, as the Cavs won their first six after the move. Since that streak, they're 6-11.
Still, the Cavs look improved overall. They've shot 50 percent or better in each of the past two games (both wins), as well as four of the previous five. Coincidentally, star guard Kyrie Irving has missed all five with a strained left biceps.
"Since the middle of January, we've been playing pretty good basketball," Brown said.
The Cavs are averaging 102 points in their previous five games.
"Just finding the open guy, sharing the ball and making the easy play," was how guard Dion Waiters explained it following Tuesday's win.
