LeBron returns, Love, Irving team for 44, as Cavs top Kings

CLEVELAND — Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving combined for 44 points, and LeBron James scored 19 in his return from a one-game absence, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers past the Sacramento Kings 101-90 on Friday night for their ninth straight win.

Love led Cleveland with 23 points, including 16 in the first quarter, while Irving, who scored an arena record 55 points Wednesday against Portland, added 21.

James returned after missing Wednesday’s game with a sprained right wrist. He was 7 for 16 from the field in 33 minutes, but made five straight shots, including a 3-pointer and a dunk off a behind-the-back dribble, as Cleveland put the game away early in the fourth quarter.

A team trainer placed a brace on James’ wrist in the third quarter, which he wore the remainder of the game.