Irving, Korver lead Cavaliers past Kings

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Kyrie Irving scored 26 points, Kyle Korver added 18 in his most productive game since joining Cleveland last week and the Cavaliers tuned up for a NBA Finals rematch by beating the Sacramento Kings 120-108 on Friday night.

LeBron James had 16 points and 15 assists, Kevin Love added 15 points and 18 rebounds and Cleveland snapped a two-game losing streak before taking on Golden State on Monday in its first game at Oracle Arena since winning the NBA title there last June.

DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points and a season-high 11 assists and Rudy Gay scored 23 points for the Kings, who fell to 1-4 on their seven-game homestand.

The Cavs sent forward Mike Dunleavy, guard Mo Williams, cash and a protected future first-round draft pick to the Hawks last for Korver, a 14-year veteran whose ability to come off screens and deep range challenge defenses.

Korver shot just 2 for 10 with no 3-pointers his first two games but came up big this game, especially after Sacramento had cut a 24-point lead to eight when Arron Afflalo scored on the opening possession of the fourth quarter.

Korver responded with a 3-pointer and answered again a few minutes later after Cleveland’s lead was cut to six with his fourth 3 of the game. He shot 7 for 10 for the game, making 4 of 6 3-pointers.

The Cavs started fast behind 11 first-quarter points from Love and led by 17 points after one. The lead grew to 21 early in the second before the Kings rallied to cut it to 10.

That’s when Korver stepped up for the first time, scoring seven points during an 11-0 run that put Cleveland back in control. The Cavs scored nine points in a 59-second span to quickly turn the tide in their favor.

TIP-INS

Cavaliers: G Iman Shumpert replaced DeAndre Liggins in the starting lineup and hit three 3-pointers in the first quarter. Shumpert matched his season high with 16 points. … James got a technical in the first quarter when he argued a non-call against Gay on a blocked shot.

Kings: Cousins got called for a second foul midway through the first quarter on an illegal screen. … Sacramento has lost four straight to Cleveland. … The Kings committed 21 turnovers, giving them 57 over the past three games.

UP NEXT

Cavaliers: Visit Golden State on Monday, looking to sweep the series after their victory on Christmas.

Kings: Continue seven-game homestand Sunday against Oklahoma City.

source: sports.inquirer.net

NBA: Raptors to file protest over controversial loss to Kings

The Toronto Raptors believe they were a victim of unjust officiating, and they are letting the league know about it.

The Canada-based franchise is submitting a formal protest against the league’s decision to waive a supposed game-tying basket at the buzzer by Terrence Ross, against the Sacramento Kings on Monday.

The three-pointer was initially counted, but upon further contemplation by the NBA’s Replay Center in New Jersey, the game clock started late, since opposing player DeMarcus Cousins managed to deflect the ball on the inbound pass.

According to the team, the 25-year-old was under the assumption that he had 2.4 seconds to get a shot in. However, the review showed it took him 2.5 seconds, therefore making his basket void.

Did the @Raptors get robbed of a game-tying 3? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ pic.twitter.com/pAmRQKbuDt

— theScore (@theScore) November 21, 2016

Due to the circumstances, the Raptors are filing two protests under two grounds, according to Michael Grange of Sportsnet.

First, the team claims that the Replay Center based its judgment on a frame-by-frame video, which it said did not accurately reflect the human element of a timekeeper starting the clock.

Also, Ross made his move by gauging the in-arena clock. Any accuracies on behalf of management or officials shouldn’t penalize their player, who would have altered his shot knowing the correct time.

As of this writing, the NBA has yet to release a statement regarding the controversial incident.  Khristian Ibarrola

source: sports.inquirer.net