Anyone who says mascots can’t have an impact on an NBA game has clearly never met Benny The Bull, but in case you need more evidence for how important these characters are in the standings, look no further than Friday night’s matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Sixers entered the home game on a seven-game losing streak. The Cavs arrived having lost seven games all season. Fortunately, Philadelphia could rely on Franklin the Dog to provide some late-game defense with the Sixers nursing a three-point lead.
As Cleveland’s Ty Jerome prepared to inbound the ball with nine seconds remaining in regulation, the 76ers’ mascot got as close as he could without touching the Cavs’ guard. Then he broke out the spirit fingers for extra effect.
Jerome called for a timeout, but when play resumed, Franklin was right there, standing his ground and taking away any extra airspace. The result was Jerome sailing the pass across the court and right back out of bounds for a turnover.
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Check out this elite mascot defense (via Reddit):
It’s hard to knock Jerome here. The former Virginia star played his best game as a pro with a career-high 33 points off the bench — including a perfect eight-for-eight from behind the arc. But that inbounds was tough to watch.
The turnover forced Cleveland to put Philly on the free throw line, where the Sixers were able to hang on for a 132-129 victory.
Paul George and Tyrese Maxey were spectacular, combining for 59 points, but obviously the game ball belongs to Franklin after this one.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — It’s going to be a snowy weekend in Northeast Ohio, which could impact weekend plans and travel across the region.
A fast-moving system will bring accumulating snow to Northeast Ohio on Saturday, followed by intensifying lake-effect snow and the coldest air of the season so far Saturday night into Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in Cleveland.
The evolving setup will feature three distinct phases: a cold front Saturday morning, a clipper system Saturday afternoon and evening, and persistent lake-effect snow into Sunday before conditions gradually improve Monday.
Saturday morning: Cold front, minor snow
Lake-effect snow will bring 4 to 8 inches of snow to the snowbelt of Northeast Ohio Saturday. The snow will start near the lakeshore Saturday morning into the afternoon then spread inland across the remainder of the snowbelt by Saturday night. Elsewhere, widespread snow is expected from a clipper system Saturday afternoon through Saturday night, with amounts ranging from 1 to 4 inches.Courtesy National Weather Service
A cold front will cross the region early Saturday, bringing scattered flurries or light snow showers, mainly during the morning hours. Any accumulation with this initial push is expected to be minimal.
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Temperatures will be at their highest early in the day, generally ranging from the mid 20s to near 30 degrees, before beginning a steady decline as colder air filters in behind the front.
Saturday afternoon and evening: Clipper brings widespread snow
The main round of accumulating snow will arrive between about 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday as a fast-moving clipper system tracks through the Ohio Valley, forecasters said.
Snow will spread quickly across much of Northeast Ohio, including areas outside the snowbelt. Most communities can expect 1 to 4 inches of snow during this phase, with the highest totals generally favored south and east of Cleveland.
Snowfall rates may briefly approach around 1 inch per hour during the afternoon and evening, and gusty winds could reduce visibility at times, making travel hazardous.
By late Saturday evening, the widespread snow will exit from west to east, but winter impacts will be far from over.
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Saturday night into Sunday: Lake-effect intensifies, Arctic cold arrives
Lake-effect snow will continue across the primary and secondary snowbelts in Northeast Ohio Sunday before gradually dissipating and shifting east Sunday night. An additional 2 to 6 inches of snow is possible, with 6 to 8 inches in the higher terrain of far Northeast Ohio.Courtesy National Weather Service
As the clipper departs, much colder air will pour across Lake Erie, allowing lake-effect snow to intensify Saturday night and continue through Sunday.
A lake-effect snow warning is in effect from 1 p.m. Saturday through 7 a.m. Monday for Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, where 5 to 10 inches of snow is expected.
The heaviest totals are favored in eastern Cuyahoga County, southern Lake County, inland Ashtabula County and much of Geauga County.
Snow bands are expected to initially favor areas closer to Lake Erie late Saturday afternoon and evening, before shifting farther inland late Saturday night into Sunday as winds turn more northwesterly. Snowfall rates within stronger bands could reach 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, especially Saturday evening and night.
Elsewhere, a winter weather advisory is in effect for Lorain, Medina, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties, where snow from the clipper will be followed by additional lake-effect snow late Saturday night into Sunday. Total accumulations in advisory areas are expected to range from 2 to 5 inches, with localized higher amounts possible if bands persist.
Bitter cold and dangerous wind chills
Behind the snow, the cold will become a major concern.
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Overnight lows Saturday night will fall into the upper single digits and teens, with wind chills dropping to between zero and 10 degrees below zero, especially late Saturday night and early Sunday.
Highs Sunday will only reach the upper teens to mid 20s, with another frigid night expected Sunday night.
Monday: Lingering snow, gradual improvement
Northeast Ohio will have to contend with a snowy weekend and frigid temperatures before a warmup next week.cleveland.com
Lake-effect snow will gradually wind down late Sunday night into early Monday, though a few lingering snow showers are possible, especially in far Northeast Ohio.
It will remain cold on Monday, but high pressure building into the region should bring quieter weather before a gradual moderation begins later next week.
CLEVELAND — Ohio is getting a jumpstart on winter.
Through the weekend, highs will drop with wind chills dipping into the negatives, according to Spectrum News 1 meteorologists. To help residents get out of the cold, the City of Cleveland is activating its warming centers through Monday.
Here are the warming centers that will be available:
Michael Zone Recreation Center 6301 Lorain Ave. (216) 664-3373
EJ Kovacic Recreation Center 6250 St. Clair Avenue (216) 664-4140
Zelma George Recreation Center 3155 Martin L. King Blvd. (216) 420-8800
Collinwood Recreation Center 16300 Lakeshore Blvd. (216) 420-8323
And here’s how long they’ll be open for, Saturday through Monday:
Saturday, Dec. 13: 9:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 14: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 15: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
For overnight shelters, RTA passes can be provided to help with transportation to a nearby facility, the city said.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A Cleveland Water Department truck working on a water main break in Ohio City was partially swallowed up into a sinkhole, breaking a gas line underneath the street.
Cleveland Water truck swallowed up(WOIO)
The incident occurred near West 28th Street and Chatham Avenue late Thursday afternoon.
There was no fire or injuries, according to Lt. Michael Norman of the Cleveland Fire Department.
The gas company is on scene working to fix the leak.
