Kevin Love scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds in his first start of the season and the host Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the depleted Toronto Raptors 144-99 Sunday night.
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Cleveland Cavaliers
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New York KnicksDarius Garland also scored 22 points and added eight assists for the Cavaliers, who also were undermanned because of COVID-19 protocols.
With 10 players out because of health and safety protocols, the Raptors had only eight players in uniform. Because of postponements, they had not played since Dec. 18.
Lauri Markkanen contributed 20 points for the Cavaliers, who have won seven of their past eight games, and were coming off a loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday.
Denzel Valentine had 17 points and nine rebounds off the bench for Cleveland. Dean Wade also scored 17 points and Ricky Rubio had 16.
Cleveland has won both games played between the teams so far this season.
Yuta Watanabe had 26 points and 13 rebounds for Toronto. Chris Boucher had 21 points, D.J. Wilson scored 15 points and Svi Mykhailiuk had 10.
Cleveland led by 17 points at halftime and used a 46-23 third quarter to take a 118-78 lead into the fourth.
The lead reached 129-84 when Cleveland reserve RJ Nembhard Jr. made a layup with 8:52 remaining.
Cleveland led 35-34 after the first quarter. Markkanen scored 11 points early in the second quarter as Cleveland took an 11-point lead with 8:29 to play.
The lead reached 15 on Valentine's 3-pointer with 1:41 to play. Valentine ended the first half with a steal and a dunk to give Cleveland a 72-55 lead.
Wade's jumper capped a 20-3 surge that opened the third quarter and gave Cleveland a 34-point lead with 7:55 to go. Garland made three straight 3-pointers to give Cleveland a 37-point lead with 55.5 seconds remaining.
Raptors in health and safety protocols include Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa, and Gary Trent Jr.
Cavaliers in protocols include Jarrett Allen, Ed Davis, Evan Mobley, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, and Dylan Windler.
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