7 Cavs score in double digits for 123-106 win over Wolves

Published Dec. 10, 2021 10:36 p.m. ET

Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Jarrett Allen scored 21 points and added 10 rebounds, Darius Garland and Kevin Love also had double-doubles, and the Cleveland Cavaliers used a fast start to cruise 123-106 over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

Love scored 18 points and had 13 rebounds off the bench against his former team, and Garland scored 12 points to go with 12 assists. All told, Cleveland had seven players score in double digits: Lauri Markkanen (19), Isaac Okoro (16), Cedi Osman (13) and Evan Mobley (11).

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 of his 21 points in garbage time, Malik Beasley had 15 points off the bench and Anthony Edwards scored 13 for Minnesota, which shot 39.1% from the field and again missed too many layups and other close shots.

The Cavaliers, who have won two straight and six of eight, shot 54.1% from the floor. That included 61.5% shooting in the first half as Cleveland opened a 26-point lead before the break. Cleveland also outrebounded Minnesota 47-40.

The Timberwolves have lost five straight, the past three at home. Minnesota averages the second-most 3-point attempts in the league with 42.3 a game, but went a mere 11 of 39 Friday, including 1 of 10 in the opening quarter and 3 of 19 in the first half.

Taking advantage of a decided size advantage, Cleveland used a 14-0 run — four dunks and a pair of 3-pointers — for a 20-4 lead less than five minutes into the game. The lead grew to as much as 26 before intermission. Minnesota got within 18 midway through the third quarter but trailed 92-71 heading to the fourth.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: Since Nov. 1, Cleveland is 7-2 away from home, a 77.8% winning percentage. Only Phoenix (8-1, .889) and Brooklyn (9-2, .818) have better road records in that span. … Playing in just his eighth game of the season and first since Nov. 18, 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall scored with 2:55 left to provide one of the biggest roars of the night from the crowd.

Timberwolves: Although he worked out on the court pregame, PG D’Angelo Russell (right ankle soreness) missed his third straight game.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Host Sacramento on Saturday to open a three-game homestand.

Timberwolves: At Portland on Sunday, the first of two straight road contests.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports