|
 Lue replaced David Blatt, who was fired Friday despite the Cavs
(31-12) owning the best record in the Eastern Conference. Lue's
first victory didn't come easy.
A three-point play from Zach LaVine pulled the Timberwolves within
110-107 with 16.5 seconds left. But James sealed the win with a pair
of free throws at the other end.
Rookie center Karl Anthony-Towns had 26 points and 11 rebounds and
Andrew Wiggins had 20 points for the Timberwolves, who were trying
to win consecutive games for just the second time since November.
Center Tristan Thompson returned to the starting lineup and had 19
points and 12 rebounds for the Cavs, while Kyrie Irving had 17
points, nine rebounds and four assists.
The Cavs struggled all night against the inferior Timberwolves. A
3-pointer from Iman Shumpert extended their lead to 90-75 early in
the fourth quarter, but Minnesota scored 12 of the game's next 14
points and a transition basket from LaVine off a turnover pulled the
Wolves within 92-87 with 7:21 left.
A turnaround baseline jumper by Wiggins over James pulled them
within 106-102 in the final minute, but the Cavs made just enough
baskets to survive.
The Cavs beat the Timberwolves by 26 points less than three weeks
ago in Minnesota.
The Cavs have been trying to play faster since Lue replaced Blatt as
head coach. They lost by double figures to the Chicago Bulls on
Saturday and had trouble putting away the struggling Timberwolves on
Monday.
Lue is trying to get the players in better shape to run and he's
trying to install more packages for Kevin Love in places where he's
comfortable, but it isn't coming easy. Lue didn't disagree with the
idea the Cavs are almost going back to training camp with their
conditioning and new play calls.
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"It kind of is (like training camp) because we're putting guys in
different situations, in different spots, trying to put guys in
their comfort zone," Lue said. "Just trying to open the floor up
more and playing with more space."
Love had 11 points and six rebounds on a night all five starters
scored in double figures, although the faster pace led to sloppy
ball handling and a porous defense.
The Cavs committed eight turnovers in the game's first 14 minutes
and ended the night with 15. The Timberwolves shot 49 percent,
including 60 percent in the first half.
NOTES: Timberwolves PF Kevin Garnett missed Monday's game with right
knee soreness. He is considered day to day. ... SG Andrew Wiggins
entered with a 31.7-point scoring average against the Cavs, the team
that originally drafted him. It's his highest mark against any team.
He has twice set career scoring highs in his first three games
against Cleveland. ... Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue is still operating
under his assistant coach's contract. He said Monday he has not yet
signed his new deal, expected to be for three years when completed.
... The Cavaliers have spent the last couple of days trying to play
at a faster tempo, but F LeBron James said it's because that's what
Lue wants. "This is what coach wants to do and this is what we're
going to do," James said. "This isn't a LeBron thing."
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