CLEVELAND (AP) — Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Los Angeles Clippers routed Cleveland 133-92 on Sunday night, the Cavaliers’ worst home loss in franchise history.
Cleveland’s previous worst was a 39-point loss to Chicago in 2012.
Paul George had 22 points and Marcus Morris added 10 in his first game with Los Angeles, which led wire-to-wire without star forward Kawhi Leonard.
Andre Drummond started in his first game with Cleveland after being acquired from Detroit at the deadline. He scored 19 points and had 14 rebounds in 29 minutes.
The Clippers didn’t miss Leonard, who was out because of a sore left knee. Morris, acquired from New York at the trade deadline, started in Leonard’s spot at power forward and played 22 minutes.
The Clippers were obviously angry following an embarrassing 142-115 loss in Minnesota on Saturday. Los Angeles shot 70% percent in the first quarter, making 14 of 20 from the field.
Los Angeles’ biggest lead was 45 points in the fourth quarter after coach Doc Rivers had given his starters the rest of the night off.
Drummond’s presence was Cleveland’s lone bright spot. He brought the crowd to its feet in the first quarter with a one-handed dunk off a lob pass from Cedi Osman. Drummond also hit two 3-pointers, his career high for a game, and again drew a big ovation.
Morris knocked Drummond to the floor with a hard foul as Cleveland’s center tried to score in the third quarter. The play was upgraded to a flagrant foul after a review.
Drummond’s acquisition couldn’t stop Cleveland’s skid. The Cavaliers have lost 12 straight at home and 13 of 14 overall.
Morris’ final game with the Knicks came in Cleveland on Feb. 3. He scored 26 points in New York’s overtime win.
Drummond replaced Tristan Thompson, who has started 48 games. Thompson came off the bench and scored seven points in 19 minutes. Kevin Love had 10 points in 26 minutes.
.TIP-INS
Clippers: Leonard missed his 13th game of the season. ... G Patrick Beverley (strained right groin) was out for second straight game. ... Los Angeles wore throwback Buffalo Braves uniforms. The franchise played in Buffalo from 1970-78.
Cavaliers: Drummond is 3 for 24 on 3-pointers this season. .... Thompson hit his fourth career 3-pointer in the second quarter. ... Kevin Porter Jr. had 17 points.
WELCOME BACK
Clippers assistant Tyronn Lue was the Cavaliers’ coach during their 2016 NBA championship season. He returned to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse for the first time since being fired by Cleveland after six games last season.
Lue was given a standing ovation and waved to the crowd when he was introduced during a timeout.
UP NEXT
Clippers: Visit Philadelphia on Tuesday.
Cavaliers: Host Atlanta on Wednesday. Cleveland’s last win at home came over the Hawks on Dec. 23.
