Love scores 34 in single quarter
Second- most in NBA history, 3 less than record
Lhasa Hohhot Chengdu Kevin Love scored 34 first- quarter points, the second- most in any quarter in NBA history, on his way to a season- high 40 points on Wednesday as the Cleveland Cavaliers beat Portland 137- 125. The 28- year- old power forward made eight three- point shots in the opening quarter, joining his first- quarter point total as a club record, and he hit his first seven shots, six of them three- pointers. “I had a good rhythm, made my first couple shots,” Love said. “And it was on from there.” The NBA record for points in any quarter remains the 37 points by Golden State’s Klay Thompson in the third period against Sacramento two seasons ago. LeBron James contributed 31 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his 44th career triple- double as Cleveland improved to 11- 2. The reigning NBA champions set NBA records for three- pointers in a half with 16 in the first half and matched club records for points in a quarter with 46 and three- pointers in a regular- season contest with 21. Love could have matched Thompson for the quarter- scoring mark but clanked a three- point shot off the rim with 75 seconds remaining in the opening period. Love hit eight of 10 shots from beyond the arc in the first quarter and 11 of 14 overall. He broke the prior Cavaliers one- quarter re- cord of 24 points set by James but fell short of his one- game career- high 51 points.
James assisted on seven of Love’s eight three- pointers.
Damian Lillard had 40 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds to lead Portland.
Elsewhere, New Orleans forward Anthony Davis scored a club- record 21 points in the first quarter and finished with a game- high 45 points and 10 rebounds to lift the Pelicans to their fourth consecutive victory, a 117- 96 triumph over visiting Minnesota.
Austin Rivers scored a team- high 22 points and the Los Angeles Clippers, off to their best start in club history at 14- 2, began a six- game road trip by routing Dallas 124- 104 as the Mavericks fell to a league- worst 2- 12.
In Charlotte, Kawhi Leonard scored 30 points and the San Antonio Spurs ripped the Charlotte Hornets 119- 114, improving to 12- 3 overall and 8- 0 on the road.
Dwight Howard had 23 points and 20 rebounds while Paul Millsap added 18 points and 11 rebounds as Atlanta downed Indiana 96- 85 in Indianapolis.
Marc Gasol scored 27 points and Mike Conley added 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists as Memphis defeated Philadelphia 104- 99 in double overtime in Philadelphia.
Stephen Curry scored 31 points while Kevin Durant added 28 to lead Golden State over the visiting Los Angeles Lakers 149- 106 while DeMarcus Cousins scored 36 points to lead hosts Sacramento over Oklahoma City 116- 101.