Most of the players and coaches had family members supporting them at the game, taking advantage of a special privilege the Cavs give their players. Unlike the vast majority of NBA teams, the Cavs permit immediate family members to travel on the team jet and stay at the team hotel.

Though players can use the offer any time until the playoffs, each season the players generally decide on a family trip when most bring loved ones. With it being the holidays, warm weather in South Florida and some off days around the game, Tuesday was selected as the trip.

With it also being LeBron James' 24th birthday, many were expected to attend his party following the game with the Heat. The Cavs stayed overnight in Miami following the game.

The Cavs and San Antonio Spurs are the two teams that permit such travel, with every team flight available to family members. Cavs coach Mike Brown and General Manager Danny Ferry brought the practice with them from their Spurs days.

"It's something I got from [Spurs coach Gregg] Popovich," Brown said. "In this business, we are gone from our families way too much. They are a part of it. When we lose, we come home and aren't happy and when we win we are. Our families have to deal with our moods and the families get the brunt of it. In return, to say thank you, we allow them to come with us when we can."

Boobie staying home?

Guard Daniel Gibson finished second in the 3-point shootout last year at the All-Star Game in New Orleans but said he's not expecting to get a call from the league to participate this season in Phoenix. Gibson was shooting 47 percent from 3-point range at All-Star Weekend last season and finished the season at 44 percent. This season he has struggled from the outside - shooting just 32 percent - and also suffered a toe injury.

"I don't think the [invite] is coming, not this year," Gibson said. "I'll be back in it though, one day."

Rotation update: Rookie forwards Darnell Jackson and J.J. Hickson have lost all their playing time of late, even with Wally Szczerbiak being out with an injury. The Cavs also have been playing tighter games, which has led Brown to tighten his rotation to match. It hasn't been anything the two have done wrong.

"I'm going to try to play one of those guys some minutes," Brown said. "Right now I know who my top eight are and I'm still getting a feel for the rest."

Dribbles: Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the world and James' friend, said on NBATV Tuesday that he's been impressed with the way James has wisely spent his riches. "We've had conversations about it and I think he's got a better financial mind that I did when I was his age. I know he likes nice cars, but I had half a share in a Rolls Royce when I was 16. Now maybe I'll try to buy some of his cars used. . . . Brown, after reading James' quote about how his 24th birthday made him feel like he's got an "old soul": "The only thing I would say to back that statement is on his iPod, he's got to get some Al Green. If he does that, I'll be convinced." . . . Before tipoff Tuesday night, James spoke to Heat forward Udonis Haslem and apologized for elbowing him in the head Sunday. Haslem needed five stitches to close the gash but James said the elbow was unintentional.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166