Irving helps Cavaliers snap two-game skid

Randolph posted a double-double as Grizzlies erase 16-point deficit to win the day

The NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers snapped a two-game skid on Friday, with Kyrie Irving leading the way with 26 points in a 120-108 victory over the Kings in Sacramento.

Kyle Korver, recently arrived in a trade from Atlanta, added 18 points off the bench and superstar LeBron James contributed 16 points and 15 assists in his latest outing in the city where he made his NBA debut in 2003.

But it wasn’t all clear sailing for the champions. After trailing by 24 points in the first half, the streaky Kings got as close as 90-85 in the in the fourth quarter. The victory was the perfect warmup for the Cavs prior to their marquee showdown with the Golden State Warriors tomorrow.

In Houston, Zach Randolph posted a double-double off the bench and the Memphis

Friday’s matches

Philadelphia Toronto Boston Memphis Milwaukee Minnesota Orlando Cleveland Utah 102 132 103 110 116 96 115 120 110 Charlotte 93 Brooklyn 113 Atlanta 101 Houston 105 Miami 108 Oklahoma City 86 Portland 109 Sacramento 108 Detroit 77 Grizzlies erased a 16-point deficit en route to a 110-105 victory over the Rockets.

Randolph finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Mike Conley had 17 points and nine assists for the Grizzlies. Spanish big man Marc Gasol added 14 points, six rebounds and six assists and Tony Allen scored a season-high 22 before he fouled out with 3:35 remaining.

The Rockets dropped backto-back games for the first time this season as they struggled from three-point range.

After connecting on 58.3 per cent of their shots in the first half the Rockets went cold. They missed 21 of 24 three-point attempts in the second half.