The bad news: The Nets are killing the Wizards tonight.

The good news: The Cavaliers beat the Celtics 100-86. Gooden and Z struggled again tonight (10 points each) but Snow delivered 13 assists in 40 minutes and Traylor added 22 and 10 in only 19 minutes of action. Meanwhile, LeBron was the man again: 32 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 steals.

So it comes down to this: the Cavaliers play the Raptors in Toronto Wednesday at 7:00 (WUAB) while the Nets play in Boston, also at 7:00. If the Nets win, the Cavs are out of the playoffs, regardless of whether or not they beat the Raptors. If the Cavs lose, it’s over as well. The only way the Cavaliers will qualify for the playoffs is if they beat the Raptors and the Nets lose. That’s it. Two games, one day, everything on the line.

Will the Cavs make the playoffs? Place your vote.

The NFL Network reported that newly acquired Browns running back Reuben Droughns may hold out of training camp in an effort to net a new contract. Excuse me? What kind of leverage does this guy think he has? He’s not even the starter. In fact, the best he can hope for heading into camp is an even split of the carries with Lee Suggs. Sure, he’s got a chance to win the job but that doesn’t entitle Droughns to demand a new contract.

Of course, this is all just a rumor but you’ve got to think there’s at least a sliver of truth involved in the NFL Network’s report. It’ll be interesting to see how this one unfolds.

A ninth-inning homer from Alberto Castillo off Arthur Rhodes gave the Royals a 6-5 win over the Tribe Tuesday afternoon. Cleveland managed 14 hits off KC pitching but left 13 men on base, including three in the eighth when Travis Hafner grounded out with the bases loaded to end the inning. Starter Scott Elarton, meanwhile, lasted just 3.2 innings while giving up 10 hits and five earned runs. As well as the frontline starters have been pitching (C.C., Westbrook and Millwood), Elarton is easily the rotation’s weakest link and seems destined to be replaced at some point this summer, considering the number of quality arms the Tribe has in the minors, not to mention Jason Davis, who’s currently pitching out of the ‘pen.

ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli wrote an interesting column on how Mike Nolan, Nick Saban and Romeo Crennel are approaching their first drafts as head coaches and how their decisions could very well shape the entire draft. Pasquarelli says that while Nolan, Saban and Crennel are rookie coaches, their considerable NFL experience will serve them well this weekend.

It’s a good read, one that offers a glimpse of what the Browns may be thinking while also hinting at what the 49ers (Nolan) and Dolphins (Saban) may do ahead of Cleveland. For the first time in quite a few years, I have complete confidence in those making decisions for this franchise.

Of course, I also remember feeling this way for the first couple of Butch Davis drafts. But this is different. I hope.

Okay, so it’s impossible to predict what’s going to happen during the draft this Saturday, but it sure would be nice if there was some general agreement about how the first few picks were going to unfold. Early rumors had the Browns interested in QB Alex Smith at #3 while also entertaining trade offers from other teams looking to move up. Then the news was all about Braylon Edwards. Then trade talk with the Bucs. Then some rumors about the Vikings wanting to move up.

The latest from ESPN Insider claims that the Browns may find themselves stuck at #3 with both the players they covet at that spot, Edwards and Smith, gone with the first two picks. Apparently, the 49ers, reportedly more interested in Cal’s Aaron Rodgers all along, are now leaning toward Smith, who most agree has more upside but is much less polished than Rodgers. That’s assuming that the ‘Niners don’t trade down, of course. And yes, it appears the Vikings are trying to put themselves into position to take Edwards, but that position unfortunately may be #2, with the Dolphins also eager to move down.

So where does that leave the Browns? Out of luck, potentially, since most of the teams looking to move up were hoping to get Smith or Edwards. And if both players are gone by the time the Browns are on the clock, not only will they have nobody to trade with, they’ll be left with a bunch of guys they’d much rather not take at #3. Insider says it may be too high to select USC receiver Mike Williams, and that it may make more sense for them to reach for a defensive player like linebacker Derrick Johnson or cornerback Adam “Pac Man” Jones. It’s a tough spot, if that is indeed where the Browns find themselves Saturday afternoon. I’ve hoped all along that they’d be able to trade down and, if they couldn’t find an offer to their liking, the fall-back plan would be Edwards. If both of those options are unavailable, though, my heart tells me Mike Williams should be the guy.

Fortunately, my heart doesn’t have a say in the matter. The only thing we can do is trust the expertise of Phil Savage and Romeo Crennel and hope the draft plays out the way they want it to.

Here we go, Cavs fans. This one, as they say, is for all the marbles. Well, tonight’s game against Boston (7:00, FSN) may not decide the Cavaliers’ fate, but if they lose to the Celtics you can pretty much kiss the playoffs goodbye. If you haven’t already, of course. The Nets and Cavs are currently tied for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The bad news is that the Nets own the tie-breaker, meaning the Cavs have to make up a game on New Jersey before the end of the season. A loss tonight makes that highly unlikely, even though Cleveland closes the season against Toronto. Sure, the 32-48 Raptors are a team the Cavs should beat but so were the Knicks. In fact, the Cavs have dropped plenty of games this year to teams that, on paper, they should’ve beaten.

The sad thing about all of this is that up until the collapse against the Pistons Sunday, the Cavaliers, despite playing some absolutely terrible basketball, still controlled their own fate. Win and you’re in, as simple as that. But now the Nets hold all the cards — win and they’re in. The only thing the Cavs can do at this point is win their final two games and then pray for a miracle. The only problem is, the way they’re playing they’ll need a miracle just to win their final two games.

Cliff Lee was very impressive in the Tribe’s 5-1 victory over the Kansas City Royals. The Tribe pitching staff looks like it could be one of the best in the AL this season. C.C. looks like he’s capable of becoming a true ace, and Millwood looks like he’s healthy. If Cliff Lee can build on this performance, the rotation looks very solid, and the bullpen has been fantastic. Just as important is their depth. Miller was sent to AAA, but he clearly belongs on the big league team, and Brian Tallet has looked great at Buffalo, giving the Tribe an excellent option if any of the starters falter. The offense should come around, so this team should make some noise this year.