CLEVELAND, OH -- The Cavaliers came into tonight's game versus the Memphis Grizzlies looking to get their 3rd back to back victory of the season. The Cavs came out firing on all cylinders, with efficient shooting and swarming defense. The Grizzlies found themselves down by as much as 18 points in the first half, but were able to battle back into the game, as the Grizzlies trailed Cleveland by 7 points at halftime.
The Cavaliers relied heavily on Kevin Love tonight, and things quickly turned south when he subbed out. With Love on the bench, the Grizzlies closed out the 3rd quarter on a 20-3 run, leading the Cavs by 3. In a back-and-forth 4th quarter, Kevin Love simply could not miss.Trailing 94-89 late in the 4th, Love scored 5 consecutive points to tie the game, then Collin Sexton followed up with a corner 3, and the Cavaliers never looked back. Cedi Osman gave the final blow to Memphis, hitting a step-back triple to put Cleveland ahead 109-103, and the Cavs closed it out from there, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 112-107.
Kevin Love seemed to be his old self, leading all scorers with 32 points, also adding 12 boards in just 25 minutes of play. Cavaliers' rookie guard Collin Sexton continued to be efficient, scoring 20 points on 50% shooting, also adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Grizzlies' big man Jonas Valanciunas kept Memphis in the game, posting an impressive double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
The Cavaliers will look to win their third in a row on Monday, February 25th, as the Cavaliers will take on the Portland Trail Blazers. Tip-off set for 7:00 PM ET, at Quicken Loans Arena.