The Cleveland Cavaliers (28 - 20) defeated the Sacramento Kings (16 - 29) 101 - 90 on Friday. Cleveland went into beast mode in the middle of January. They've rattled off nine straight wins to adequately squelch any erroneous chatter about coach David Blatt being on the hot seat. LeBron James returned from a one - game absence Friday after having sat out Wednesday's 99 - 94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers with a wrist injury. James put up 19 points, seven assists, four steals and two blocks in 33 minutes, putting to rest most injury concerns regarding his wrist. Kevin Love rebounded from a poor 3 - for - 15 shooting performance Wednesday to put a game - high 23 points and 10 rebounds in 29 minutes. The Cavaliers are in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings, 12 games behind the conference - leading Atlanta Hawks. Sacramento has lost eight straight games as their playoff chances continue to sputter and die. Even with another two and a half months of the regular season, the Kings sit 10 games behind the Suns for the final playoff spot, and between the Kings and Suns sit two playoff - worthy teams in the Thunder and Pelicans. DeMarcus Cousins was named as an injury replacement for Kobe Bryant (shoulder) on Friday for the All-Star Game, and he celebrated with 21 points, 13 rebounds and five steals. Omri Casspi chipped in 15 points off the bench to help, but the Kings were no match for the ascending Cavaliers. The Cavaliers will go on the road to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. The Kings will finish up their four - game road trip against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday.
["PlayerStat(G,'DeMarcus Cousins') has 21 Assists ,has 13 Blocks ,has 5 3-pointers made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Omri Casspi') has 15 Assists ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'LeBron James') has 7 Assists ,has 2 Blocks ,has 1 3-pointers made ,has 33 Minutes played ,has 1 Personal fouls ,has 19 Points ,has 4 Total rebounds ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Kevin Love') has 29 Assists ,has 23 Blocks ,has 10 3-pointers made ."]