Thursday's Sports In Brief

For the second time this month, the unheralded Cleveland Cavaliers big-timed the Nuggets and left them wondering if the NBA’s most hotly debated trend is too overwhelming to ignore. Are too many 3s bad for the game of basketball? No NBA city is more insulated from the nationally relevant discussion than Denver, where the more appropriate question remains this: Are not enough 3s bad for the Nuggets? Tenth-year coach Michael Malone hasn’t wavered publicly in his stance that generating a few more attempts per game could benefit them, but that Denver’s defensive regression is the far more alarming problem. In both losses to Cleveland, the two topics were intrinsically related.

SALT LAKE CITY — NHL teams have had enough trouble containing Nathan MacKinnon the past two seasons. Don’t make him angry. MacKinnon, the reigning league MVP and current scoring leader, logged his first fight in three seasons Friday night during a 4-1 win for the Colorado Avalanche against Utah HC at Delta Center. The last time MacKinnon dropped the gloves had consequences, but the Avalanche also won the Stanley Cup four months later. “I don’t know.

Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bengals in Cincinnati. Live updates Pre-game updates Scouting report (10 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Bengals in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report. Game predictions Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bengals 24, Broncos 20 Denver’s first chance to clinch a postseason spot went begging in Los Angeles.

Pertussis cases hit decade high as vaccination rates decline, health officials urge caution KHOU.comInfections of bacteria causing violent coughing fits is rising in Kansas KSNT NewsWhooping cough in Canada: Outbreaks or case increases reported in these provinces CTV News

New bird flu mutation discovered in US as cat infections cause alarm Medical XpressGenetic Sequences of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Viruses Identified in a Person in Louisiana CDCBird Flu Samples From Very Ill Patient Had ‘Concerning’ Mutations The New York TimesWe ‘have our head in the sand’: Health experts warn US isn’t reacting fast enough to threat of bird flu CNNBird flu virus shows mutations in first severe human case in US, CDC says Reuters

Oregon avian flu cat death prompts nationwide raw pet food recall University of Minnesota Twin CitiesPopular cat food recalled after death linked to bird flu CBS NewsCats can get sick with bird flu. Here’s how to protect them The Associated PressCalifornia warns against raw pet food after cat death linked to bird flu San Francisco ChroniclePet Food Recall Linked to Bird Flu Contamination: What to Know CNET