Cavaliers 106 - 90 Timberwolves
Final
  for this game

Red-hot Cavaliers win in Love's return to Minnesota

Feb 1, 2015 - 6:40 AM

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Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - In his first game in Minnesota since being traded, Cavaliers forward Kevin Love got the boos he expected when he was introduced before the game.

Love, who was booed every time he touched the ball, had 14 points and 17 rebounds in Cleveland's 106-90 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

After playing his first six NBA seasons for the Timberwolves, Love was dealt to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal in the offseason. Minnesota acquired Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett, the last two No. 1 overall picks in the draft.

"It all went pretty well and we ended up getting a win," Love said of his return.

Wiggins had himself a career night in a losing cause, scoring 33 points on 14- of-25 shooting. The 19-year-old matched the franchise record for most points by a teenager.

"I love the big stage and playing in the spotlight," Wiggins said. "It's motivation for everybody."

All storylines aside, it was LeBron James who stole the show in the fourth quarter. James scored 16 of his 36 points in the final frame for the Cavaliers, who have won 10 in a row.

Thaddeus Young ended with 19 points for the Timberwolves, who fell to 8-39 on the season. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Martin had 14 points apiece, with Pekovic also pulling down 12 rebounds.

Trailing 85-83 early in the fourth, James threw down a dunk, hit a pair of 3- pointers, made three free throws and connected on a jumper to give Cleveland a 96-87 edge with 4:29 left.

Earlier, the Cavaliers shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first quarter en route to a 30-21 lead. Love had six points and nine rebounds in the frame.

Trailing 45-36, Minnesota used an 11-2 run to tie things up. Cleveland led 52-49 at the break.

The Timberwolves outscored the Cavs by a 30-24 margin in the third to take a 79-76 lead.

Game Notes

Timofey Mozgov and Kyrie Irving had 14 and 12 points, respectively, for the Cavs, who went 10-of-32 from beyond the arc ... Minnesota guard Ricky Rubio plans to play on Monday against Dallas, ending a 43-game absence with an injured left ankle.






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