The Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets at RocketMortgage Fieldhouse on Friday night.

The Cavaliers (8-7) got some good news ahead of the tip-off of Friday's rematch, as the Nets (9-8) announced Kevin Durant would sit out for load management. However, Brooklyn didn't look very fazed early, trailing by just one at the end of the first quarter and maintaining that slim deficit going into halftime. Nevertheless, the tide turned in the third, when Cleveland added 13 points to its edge on the way to 12-point victory.

Kyrie Irving paced the Nets with 38 points, adding five assists, one rebound and one block. James Harden generated a 19-point, 11-assist double-double that also included five rebounds. Jeff Green managed 13 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals. Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot poured in 11 points.

Collin Sexton led the Cavaliers with 25 points, complementing them with nine assists and two rebounds. Andre Drummond and Jarrett Allen generated matching 19-point tallies, with Drummond also pulling down 16 rebounds, recording four assists and posting two steals. Larry Nance totaled 15 points, 10 rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Taurean Prince registered 14 points, three rebounds, one assist, one steal and one block. Darius Garland made his return from a shoulder injury and furnished 11 points and three assists in 22 minutes off the bench.

The Nets head back home to face the Miami Heat on Saturday night, while the Cavaliers visit the Boston Celtics on Sunday evening.