Parker feeling right at home with 'fun' Cavaliers

Naperville native Anthony Parker produced some strong results in his first season with the Cavaliers.

The 6-foot-7 swingman has started all 79 games, becoming sort of a combination defensive stopper and outside shooter. Parker is averaging 7.3 points and shooting 41.5 percent from 3-point range.

"Having the best record in the league and being a part of all this, it's exciting," Parker said before Thursday's game. "It's a fun team. You guys know LeBron (James) and Shaq (O'Neal) - they're big personalities and characters and everything. But we've got a lot of personalities and characters on this team.

"We have a lot of fun. You see it on the court, but we have a lot of fun off the court as well. If we have a day off, we'll get together and go somewhere. It's a close-knit team. I think that translates to chemistry on the court as well."

Parker, 34, spent most of his pro career playing in Israel. He joined Cleveland as a free agent last summer after three years with Toronto.

"There were a couple options, but Cleveland showed the most interest," he said.

"They expressed that there was a place for me here and it's an exciting situation to be in. This was probably the first choice."

Parker said his younger sister, Candace, a WNBA star with the Los Angeles Sparks, has been playing in Russia this winter.

Her husband, former Duke forward Shelden Williams, is playing for Boston.

Rest is history: Before Thursday's game, Cleveland coach Mike Brown talked about the dilemma of deciding whether or not to give players some extra rest for the playoffs.

"It's a fine balance. There's no right answer," he said. "In terms of trying to keep guys in tune, guys have been in tune all year. I don't think it will be any different tonight. We're still trying to get better each game, no matter who's on the floor, and hopefully win the game."

Playing favorites: Toronto guard Sonny Weems suggested the other day in Cleveland that the Cavs would rather face the Bulls than the Raptors in the playoffs.

Maybe he's got a point, since LeBron James played against Toronto on Tuesday, then sat out against the Bulls.

"I hope he's right on target with that," Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro said of Weems' accusation. "I'm fine with it."

Jamison hurt: When Cleveland was in town on March 19, Bulls rookie Taj Gibson outscored Antawn Jamison 20-2. In the rematch, Jamison scored 23, while Gibson was in foul trouble and produced just 2 points.

Jamison limped off the floor after injuring his right foot or ankle with 2:41 left in the game.