Cavs hold on to take 2- 0 series lead

NBA PLAYOFFS

Kyrie Irving scored 37 points, Kevin Love added 27 and the Cavaliers avoided another fourth- quarter collapse in Game 2, beating the visiting Pacers 117- 111 on Monday night to take a 2- 0 lead in the series.

After squeaking out the opener by a point, LeBron James and Co. showed more intensity on defense, more swagger in general and won their 10th consecutive first- round game over the last three seasons.

However, they nearly blew an 18- point lead in the fourth as the Pacers got within four before Cleveland closed it out at the line.

James totaled 25 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists but had eight of Cleveland’s 19 turnovers.

Paul George scored 32 and Jeff Teague 23 for Indiana.

Cleveland is 12- 0 in series when starting 2- 0 in the postseason.

Cavs guard J. R. Smith didn’t play in the second half because of a left hamstring injury.

Spurs 96, Grizzlies 82

Kawhi Leonard had a postseason career- high 37 points and added 11 rebounds to lift the host Spurs to a 2- 0 lead in their first- round series. Leonard finished the game 9- for- 14 from the field and was 19- for- 19 on free throws. San Antonio led for all but 13 seconds.

Mike Conley scored 24 points, Zach Randolph had 18 points and Marc Gasol added 12 points for the Grizzlies, who lost their 10th consecutive postseason game to the Spurs.

Gobert out for Game 2

Jazz center Rudy Gobert won’t play in Game 2 against the Clippers on Tuesday in Los Angeles after suffering a hyperextension and bone bruise to his left knee in the first minute of Game 1. An MRI showed no ligament damage. The Jazz lead the series 1- 0.