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The Cleveland Cavaliers fell to the Sacramento Kings by the score of 97-94 on Wednesday night, their third loss in a row and their eighth in their last 10 games. Cleveland (7-26) was led by Kyrie Irving, who scored 22 points and added six assists and five rebounds, but could not get over the hump in the fourth quarter and secure the lead.
With Anderson Vaerjao still out due to an injury, Cleveland was battered down low by Sacramento's front line. Embattled Kings center Demarcus Cousins put up 18 points and 16 rebounds, while power forward Jason Thompson chipped in with 19 points and 10 boards. Alonzo Gee and Tyler Zeller put up a fight down low, but were ultimately overmatched.
An encouraging development for the Cavs was rookie Dion Waiters, who scored 20 points off the bench on 8-of-19 shooting against a talented, though defensively feeble, Kings backcourt.
Cleveland will be back on the court on Friday night when they visit the Charlotte Bobcats.