Cavaliers 125, Timberwolves 104
Kyrie Irving led the way with 29 points and LeBron James scored 24 as Cleveland eased past visiting Minnesota.
Kevin Love made his first appearance against his former team and collected 20 points and 10 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who picked up their third straight win. Dion Waiters scored 19 points off the bench and Shawn Marion added 11.
Andrew Wiggins, who went from Cleveland to the Timberwolves in the Love deal, scored 27 points. Gorgui Dieng collected a season-high 20 points to go with 11 rebounds and four blocks while Shabazz Muhammad scored 18 for Minnesota.
The Cavaliers ended the second quarter with a 12-6 burst to take a 64-56 lead into the break, but the Timberwolves kept it close early in the third and were within 80-78 with 3:34 remaining. Cleveland again closed the quarter strong, getting 3-pointers from James and Waiters in a 16-1 run to close the period, making it a 96-79 gap.
Love’s three-point play opening the fourth quarter extended it to a 20-point gap before Minnesota cut it back to 102-90 with 7:52 left. The Cavaliers locked down on defense and pushed it back out to 116-93 with 4:31 remaining while coasting to the finish.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Cleveland C Anderson Varejao went down in the third quarter after a collision under the basket and had to be helped off the floor after suffering a left foot/ankle injury. … Minnesota F Anthony Bennett, who came along with Wiggins in the Love deal, was held scoreless in 12 minutes off the bench. … The Cavaliers went 12-of-24 from 3-point range while the Timberwolves struggled to 4-of-13.