before Kyrie Irving scored 11 straight points to cut

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros fired manager Bo Porter on Monday, saying the dismissal had less to do with the teams 59-79 record than the need for "new direction" and a "united message throughout the entire organization." Porter was in his second season with the Astros and was succeeded by interim manager Tom Lawless, who worked in Houstons minor league system. Lawless first game in charge is Tuesday night at home against the first-place Los Angeles Angels. Bench coach Dave Trembley also was let go. Porter joined the Astros after working as a third-base coach for the Washington Nationals. The Astros went a franchise-worst 51-111 in his first season for their third straight 100-loss season. General manager Jeff Luhnow said the decision was not based on "our current level of competitiveness." The Astros entered Monday in fourth place in the AL West with the second-worst record in the league. "I recognize that our win-loss record is largely a product of an organizational strategy for which I am responsible," Luhnow said in a statement. "Rather, I made this decision because I believe we need a new direction in our clubhouse." Luhnow refused repeatedly to get into more detail about why Porter was let go as he fielded questions for almost 25 minutes on Monday afternoon. He did say that he had been mulling the move for a few weeks and that he made the final decision on Sunday. "Once you make a decision it is in everyones best interest to move it along," he said. "Its easier to wait until the end of the season in some respects, but its not fair to Bo and its not fair to us." Owner Jim Crane said the firing was "not an easy decision to make." It comes following recent reports citing sources who said Luhnow and Porter were not getting along. Luhnow wouldnt address those rumours other than to say that there were "numerous inaccuracies" in the reports. Porter issued a statement Monday afternoon. "During my time in Houston I dedicated myself to do everything I could to help this organization win, in the short-term and for the long-term," he said in the statement. "I am proud of what we were able to accomplish in Houston with an organization in transition. Im gratified we were able to bring some excitement to this city as a result of our improvement from 2013 to 2014." Starting pitcher Scott Feldman lamented Porters firing and noted the care and concern he showed when Feldmans father died earlier this season. He said he spoke to Porter on Monday and thanked him for the way he treated him throughout the season and particularly in that difficult time. "I hope he realizes that he was doing as well as he could given the circumstances," Feldman said. "Its tough to see, but Bos a strong guy and Im sure hell be back on his feet and back in the game whenever he wants to be." Whoever is hired as full-time manager will be the teams fourth since 2007, not including those who held the job on an interim basis. Luhnow said they hope to hire someone quickly. "What we will seek going forward is a consistent and united message throughout the entire organization," Luhnow said. "It is essential that as an organization we create an atmosphere at the major league level where our young players can come up and continue to develop and succeed. "Ultimately, I am responsible for creating that culture, and I will do everything in my power to do so -- even when it means making difficult moves like the one we made today." Porter was the first managerial hiring in Luhnows tenure, and he was unhappy it didnt work out. "It is a disappointment in that any time you bring in a new leader of any department ... you hope that the individual is going to be there for the long haul," he said. "In no way did we intend to hire someone for a short-term (transitional) period. As we look forward to the next hire, were looking for someone for the long haul." He said many people will help in the hunt for a new manager and noted that Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan, who re-joined the team in February as a special assistant following a stint with the Rangers, will be among them. The firing is the latest development in months of trouble surrounding the Astros that includes being the victim of hackers who accessed teams servers and published months of internal trade talks on the Internet, and failing to reach a deal with No. 1 overall draft pick Brady Aiken. "Its been a challenging summer for me personally and for us as the Astros organization," Luhnow said. "A lot of things happened not the way we scripted them to happen and weve had to react. Thats part of the job." Lawless was the interim manager at Triple-A Oklahoma City this season when manager Tony DeFrancesco was on medical leave. Adam Everett, who was also working in the minors, will replace Trembley as bench coach. Ben Simmons Jersey . -- Shanshan Feng was alone in her opinion about the pin positions in the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Mike Muscala Jersey . Not Peyton Manning. Hes holding on to the heartache to stoke his competitive fire. http://www.76ersstore.com/kids-jimmy-butler-76ers-jersey/ .com) - The Carolina Hurricanes hope to remain perfect at home in January on Friday night as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to PNC Arena. Darryl Dawkins Jersey . His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys . According to the sportsbook BoDog, the Stampeders are 8/5 favourites to take home the Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on November 24. CLEVELAND -- The Washington Wizards are finally getting some answers. The Cleveland Cavaliers are still looking for solutions. Bradley Beal scored 26 points and Nene added 24, leading the Wizards to a 98-91 win on Wednesday night as Clevelands comeback from a 27-point deficit fell short. Washington, which broke a four-game losing streak on Tuesday, took control in the first quarter and appeared to be on their way to an easy win. The Wizards were ahead 56-38 at halftime, and pushed the margin to 27 points in the third quarter before the Cavaliers finally woke up. Cleveland trailed 86-71 midway through the fourth before Kyrie Irving scored 11 straight points to cut the deficit to four points with 2:56 remaining. The Cavaliers got no closer, however, and lost for the fourth time in five games. "It was rocky, but you can expect things like that in any NBA game," Beal said. "We played well for 40 minutes, but we went away from our principles after that. Cleveland did a nice job getting back in it. Fortunately, we pulled it back together before the end." Irving scored 18 of his game-high 28 points in the fourth quarter, but that wasnt enough. "We had to make them uncomfortable from the start of the game, not from the end of the third quarter," he said. Marcin Gortats two free throws with 1:16 left extended the lead to 92-86, and Beal added two free throws with 32.8 seconds remaining to put the game away. John Wall and Martell Webster both scored 15 points for Washington, which has won two straight for the second time this season. The Wizards held a players meeting Tuesday, which has paid off in the short run. "Thats how you get in position to make the playoffs," Wizards coach Randy Wittman said. "Youre tired, you get in late, but you make that effort to win the game from the start." The Cavaliers beat the Wizards in overtime on Saturday when Irving matched his career high with 41 points. Clevelands players held a meeting after last weeks 29-pooint loss to Minnesota.ddddddddddddThe meeting reportedly got heated, but several players said no punches were thrown. The Cavaliers werent able to sustain their momentum from Saturdays win, which has led to more uncertainty. "I have to find guys who are going to go out there and give it to me," Cavaliers coach Mike Brown said. "Its a concern for anybody when you dont go out there and compete and play hard." "We dont play hard enough," guard Jarrett Jack said. "Its the effort. Its the one thing you can control. Nobody should have to ask anybody to play hard. If we dont come out here and do our job, this is the kind of result well get." Shooting guard Dion Waiters, who missed the next two games with the flu, returned to practice Monday, but lost his starting job to C.J. Miles while he was gone. Brown said before the game he was pleased with his new lineup, but the switch lasted less than three minutes when Miles left the game with a strained right calf and was taken to the locker room. Waiters entered the game with 9:27 left in the first quarter. Waiters scored 11 points in 31 minutes. Jack and Anderson Varejao both scored 14. Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 pick in the draft, entered the game to begin the fourth quarter with the Cavaliers trailing 80-59. Bennett, who is 5 for 37 from the field, shot an air ball on a 3-point attempt. Cleveland centre Andrew Bynum, who said earlier this month he is considering retirement as he comes back from surgery on both knees, scored two points and had one rebound in 12 minutes. NOTES: The Wizards broke a four-game losing streak against the Cavaliers. ... Cleveland C Tyler Zeller (sprained right ankle) was inactive. ... F Trevor Ariza (strained right hamstring) and F Al Harrington (sore right knee) missed the game for Washington. ... Cleveland, which is 1-6 on the road, plays at New Orleans on Friday and at San Antonio on Saturday. ... Wall had nine assists after tying his career high with 16 on Tuesday. 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