LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Kevin Love scored 29 points as the Cleveland Cavaliers shrugged off the absence of Kyrie Irving to demolish the Memphis Grizzlies 103-86 on Tuesday.
Irving was given the night off after complaining of tiredness in his legs after last weekend’s victory over the Charlotte Hornets.
But the 24-year-old point guard’s absence was barely felt as Cleveland romped home thanks to Love and LeBron James, who chipped in with 23 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Love also contributed 13 rebounds, while J.R. Smith filled the void left by Irving to weigh in with a 23-point haul which included six three-pointers.
The victory saw the NBA champion Cavaliers improve to 18-5, tightening their grip at the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Zach Randolph led the scoring for the Grizzlies with 18 points and five rebounds as the visitors rested All-Star center Marc Gasol.
Andrew Harrison and Troy Williams scored 13 points for Memphis who fell to 17-9.
Tuesday’s game at Cleveland’s Quicken Loans Arena was the first of back-to-back games between the two sides. The Cavaliers face the Grizzlies again on Wednesday at Memphis’s FedEx Forum.
Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said he was uncertain about the prospect of playing the same opponents on consecutive nights.
“We’ll see after the next game,” Lue said. “It’s good, though, because you don’t have to change, go watch film and try to prepare for a different team.
“It’s the same team you’re playing again. Basically playing two games in one. So from a standpoint of preparing for a team and getting ready, it makes it easy.”
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