Kevin Love had 23 points in Cleveland’s ninth consecutive victory, while LeBron James scored 19 in his return from a one-game absence as the Cavaliers downed the Kings 101-90.
Kyrie Irving finished with 21 points for the Cavs in his first game since he scored 55 against Portland on Wednesday.
James returned after the win against the Blazers from a layoff over a sprained wrist. He was 7 for 16 from the field in 33 minutes, but made five straight shots as Cleveland put the game away early in the fourth quarter.
Photo: USA Today
A trainer put a brace on James’ wrist in the third, which he wore for the remainder of the game.
DeMarcus Cousins, who was added to the Western Conference All-Star team on Friday, had 21 points and 13 rebounds in Sacramento’s eighth consecutive loss.
PELICANS 108, CLIPPERS 103
Eric Gordon scored a season-high 28 points in New Orleans as the Pelicans snapped the Clippers’ six-game winning streak.
With power forward Anthony Davis sitting out because of a sore left groin, the Pelicans benefited from exceptional shooting from beyond the three-point line, hitting 13 of 25, and from the foul line, where they made 23 of 26 free throws, including their last 17.
Ryan Anderson, starting for Davis, scored 24 as New Orleans won for the fifth time in six games.
JAZZ 110, WARRIORS 100
Gordon Hayward had 26 points, 15 rebounds and six assists in salt Lake City, helping the Jazz beat the Warriors for the first time this season.
Hayward was 9 for 20 from the field and 7 for 8 at the line, showing no lingering effects from sinus congestion that held him out of practice on Thursday. Trevor Booker had 17 points, while fellow reserve Trey Burke finished with 15.
Utah dropped their first two games against Golden State this season, losing 101-88 on Nov. 21 last year and 116-105 on Jan. 13.
Stephen Curry scored 32 points for the Western Conference-leading Warriors, who were coming off a 113-111 overtime loss to Chicago on Tuesday.
Klay Thompson had 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting after averaging 31.6 points over his previous seven games.
In other games on Friday, it was:
‧ Mavericks 93, Heat 72
‧ Raptors 127, Nets 122, OT
‧ Suns 99, Bulls 93
‧ Rockets 93, Celtics 87
‧ 76ers 103, Timberwolves 94
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