Totally Offensive

Give the gift of basketball tonight, when LeBron and the Cavaliers try to keep up with the Golden State Warriors. If you abhor defense and long to see a run-and-gun team filled with true gunners — really, forward Stephen Jackson might bring his gun — the crazy-playing (and truly crazy) Warriors won't disappoint. Besides the freakishly fast Phoenix Suns, Golden State is the only team that could slap together an Olympic-caliber track team at a moment's notice. This isn't subtle, grind-it-out basketball; it's a madhouse sprint, where no shot is a bad shot unless it doesn't go in. And even those aren't frowned upon by the Warriors.The Warriors are no title-contenders; that's why you should still be able to land tickets. But by averaging 106 points a game and upsetting the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the playoffs last year, they've proved they are a team to be reckoned with. And this year, they're averaging a jaw-dropping 109 points per game, which has led to premium entertainment value for hard-core hoopsters and casual fans alike. After the game, kids take over the court to shoot free throws. Even if you didn't pass on any athletic genes to your son or daughter, you can still give them a brief moment in the basketball spotlight. Tip-off is at 6 tonight at Quicken Loans Arena, 1 Gateway Plaza. Tickets are $10 to $50. Call 216-420-2200 or visit www.clevelandcavaliers.com.
Sun., Dec. 23, 6 p.m., 2007