Clarkson, Love lead Cavs past Grizzlies 114-107

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jordan Clarkson scored a season-high 33 points, Kevin Love hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with just over a minute to play and the Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-107 on Friday night.

Cleveland rallied from a 12-point deficit early in the fourth quarter, and Love’s clutch shot gave the Cavaliers a 109-107 lead with 1:03 left. Collin Sexton made three free throws and rookie Darius Garland added two to put the game away.

Clarkson hit 12 of 17 shots, including 6 of 8 3-pointers. Love had 21 points, including five 3-pointers, and 13 rebounds.

Jaren Jackson led Memphis with 24 points while Dillon Brooks scored 16, but the Grizzlies took their second straight tough loss. Memphis failed to hold a 24-point third-quarter lead against Oklahoma City on Wednesday.

Rookie Ja Morant matched a season low with eight points, but his basket with 1:23 left put Memphis ahead 107-106. The Grizzlies didn’t score again.

The game had 25 lead changes and was tied 16 times.

Grayson Allen’s four-point play gave Memphis a 93-81 lead with 10:28 to play. He hit a 3-pointer from the corner and was fouled by Kevin Porter Jr. The call on Porter was upgraded to a flagrant foul, but Memphis failed to convert the extra possession and Cleveland quickly rallied.

Clarkson scored five points and Tristan Thompson’s rebound dunk cut the lead to 103-102 with four minutes to play. Love made one of two free throws with 3:15 left to tie the game and hit a 3-pointer with 2:50 left to give Cleveland a 106-103 lead.

Memphis regained the lead on baskets by Jackson and Morant, who matched a season high with 11 assists. Jonas Valanciunas had 14 points and 14 rebounds.

TIP-INS

Grizzlies: Allen returned after missing five games because of a sore right ankle. He was hit with a technical for clapping in the face of Porter after being fouled by Cleveland’s rookie in the third quarter. Allen scored nine points in 11 minutes. … The franchise is 4-19 on the road against the Cavaliers.

Cavaliers: Garland had 14 points while Cedi Osman scored 13. … Thompson had 10 points and 15 rebounds. He became the second player in franchise to reach 2,000 offensive rebounds in his career. Zydrunas Ilgauskas is first with 2,336.

ROOKIE MEETS VET

Morant took off in the lane and tried to dunk over Love in the first quarter, but the ball hit off the back of the rim and sailed toward the other end of the court. Morant’s leg struck Love in the head and both players went to the floor. The 12-year veteran helped the first-year player to his feet as Cleveland scored on a fast break.

UP NEXT

Grizzlies: Host Sacramento on Monday.

Cavaliers: Host Atlanta on Monday.