SPORTS DIGEST || Cavaliers open season at Chicago Oct. 27

Cavaliers open season

at Chicago on Oct. 27

CLEVELAND

The Cavaliers will open the season at the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 27 and play at the defending champion Golden State Warriors on Christmas, the league announced Wednesday in releasing the schedules for all 30 teams. It’s the second time in as many years the Cavs will play a road game on Christmas.

The defending champion Warriors come to Quicken Loans Arena for their only visit Jan. 18 in a Martin Luther King Day rematch of last season’s NBA Finals, Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder come to town Dec. 17 for their only visit and Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers make their only visit on Feb. 16.

The Cavs will play 25 games on national television, including the Oct. 30 home opener against the Miami Heat.

LeBron: Health, family

to decide 2016 plans

LAS VEGAS

LeBron James said his health and his family will determine whether he tries for a record third basketball Olympic gold medal next summer.

James took part in USA Basketball’s minicamp, satisfying chairman Jerry Colangelo’s mandate that anyone wanting to be considered for the 2016 roster show up this week in Las Vegas.

James suited up in a No. 27 jersey and worked out, though he won’t play in the Americans’ intrasquad exhibition Thursday because of a previous commitment back in Ohio.

The Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star could join Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul as the only three-time gold medalists, and he and Anthony would be the first American men to appear in four Olympics. James says he’s “not penciling it in, as of now, for next summer” and that his decision may not come until after next season.

Walker signs bill

to fund Bucks arena

WEST ALLIS, Wis.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has signed a bill that commits $250 million in taxpayer money to pay for a new arena for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.

The presidential candidate signed the measure into law Wednesday at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, surrounded by team officials, state lawmakers and others.

Taxpayers ultimately will pay about $400 million, including interest, over the next two decades. Current and former team owners will spend another $250 million on the arena and keep the Bucks from leaving the state.

The deal cleared the Republican-controlled Legislature with bipartisan support. Opponents argued taxpayer money should not go toward building an arena for a privately owned sports franchise. But Walker and supporters say it will cost taxpayers more to lose the team.

Tigers slugger Cabrera

eyes Friday return

KANSAS CITY, Mo.

Detroit Tigers All-Star first baseman Miguel Cabrera will likely come off the disabled list Friday and start against the Houston Astros.

Cabrera, who has not played since July 3 because of a strained left calf, took batting practice and ran the bases Wednesday before the Tigers game with the Kansas City Royals.

If Cabrera should be activated if he feels OK today, a Tigers’ off day. Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he would be surprised if the 2012 and ‘13 AL MVP does not play in the three-game series against the AL West-leading Astros.

Andretti: IndyCar team

not in financial trouble

INDIANAPOLIS

Michael Andretti called allegations that his IndyCar team is on the verge of insolvency unfounded.

The comments came in a statement issued by the IndyCar team owner — one day after details from a lawsuit were made public. Two minority owners for Andretti Sports Marketing claim Andretti, who owns 60 percent of that company, attempted to cover debts incurred by his race team, Andretti Autosport, by borrowing money from other sources and using some revenue from ASM.

Vindicator staff/wire reports