Durant sits out, Cavs whip Nets

Collin Sexton carried the Cleveland Cavaliers to their second straight win over Brooklyn on Friday, scoring 25 points and dishing out nine assists in a 125-113 win just two nights after posting a career high of 42 points against the same Nets.

Sexton once again outplayed Nets big guns James Harden and Kyrie Irving, just as he did in the Cavs’ thrilling 147-135 double overtime victory on Wednesday.

Cleveland dominated the paint and seized control in the third quarter by exploiting the Nets porous defense to record their third straight victory. Sexton scored eight points in the third quarter, when Cleveland outscored the Nets 37-24 and forced eight turnovers.

Andre Drummond posted his 13th double-double with 19 points and 16 rebounds, and Larry Nance added 15.

Former Net Taurean Prince tallied 14 for the Cavaliers, who outrebounded the Nets 50-29 at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse arena in Cleveland.

“When we’re a whole, healthy team, we’re very tough to beat,” Drummond said.

Irving scored 38 points in his second game after a two-week absence, while Harden scored 19 points and had 11 assists.

Brooklyn could have used Kevin Durant, who did not play because the team wanted to give him a rest.

The Nets shot 48 percent from the field and made just 14 of 43 three-point attempts.

(AFP) RESULTS: Phoenix 126, Denver 130 (OT); San Antonio 117, Dallas 122; Philadelphia 122, Boston 110; Toronto 101, Miami 81; LA Clippers 120, Oklahoma City 106; Sacramento 103, New York 94; Minnesota 98, Atlanta 116; Charlotte 110, Chicago 123; Detroit 102, Houston 103; Indiana 120, Orlando 118 (OT).