Irving, Love lead Cavs to blowout win over Nets

The playoff-hopeful Brooklyn Nets were no match for the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. 

Double-doubles by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love helped Cleveland run the slumping Nets off the court with a 117-92 victory at Quicken Loans Arena. 

Love returned to the Cavaliers lineup after head coach David Blatt rested him for a pair of games, and responded with his trademark outlet pass, 10 points, 11 rebounds and four assists. It was Love's 34th double-double of the season. 

Irving chipped in with 12 points, 10 assists - the fifth time this season he's dished out double-digit dimes - and five rebounds.

All five Cavaliers starters scored in double figures, including LeBron James, who had 16 points and seven assists. J.R. Smith added 17 and shot 5-of-10 from long range. 

The win was the Cavaliers' 14th consecutive victory at home. 

Brooklyn got up early before being blown out in the second and third quarters en route to its sixth loss in eight games, falling further back in the Eastern Conference playoff race. 

The Nets need help and are going to have to close out the season with a run, but rather optimistic head coach Lionel Hollins believes his team can make some noise if it's able to sneak in.

"Every team in the playoffs has a chance to win it all," he told reporters prior to the game. "Regardless of what's said about Golden State and Atlanta. They're all beatable."

Brooklyn fell three games back of the eighth and final playoff spot with 16 contests remaining. 

Deron Williams led the Nets with 20 points and six assists.