CLEVELAND β Darius Garland scored 27 points in his return from a back injury and Caris LeVert added 11 in his debut for Cleveland, leading the Cavaliers to a 105-92 win over the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night in their last home game before hosting the All-Star Game.
Garland, who missed the past four games with a sore lower back, showed why he was selected as an All-Star for the first time. He made 12 of 15 shots, added six assists, five rebounds and got Cleveland's offense back on track.
The Cavs (34-21) shot 48% from the field and out-rebounded the Spurs 41-31. Rookie Evan Mobley had 18 points and 12 boards while Jarrett Allen added 15 and 14.
Keldon Johnson scored 18 and All-Star Dejounte Murray 16 as the Spurs (20-35) opened an eight-game road trip. San Antonio has dropped four of its last five.
With just three games left before the All-Star break, the Cavaliers will begin their own four-game trip Friday night when they take on the Indiana Pacers.
More Cavs headlines:
- Black History Month in Ohio: Shelly Cayette-Weston
- 2022 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game rosters revealed: Myles Garrett, Machine Gun Kelly, Tiffany Hadish, Mayor Justin Bibb to play
- Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb defends decision to not to allow restaurants to serve alcohol late during NBA All-Star Weekend
- 'I'm back': Browns DE Myles Garrett teases appearance in NBA All-Star Celebrity Game