Cavs topple Kings to run streak to 9

The Cleveland Cavaliers kept the good times rolling. 

Cleveland extended its season-high winning streak to nine games with a 101-90 victory over the Sacramento Kings behind a game-high 23-point performance from Kevin Love. 

The game was never really in reach for the Kings, who were down by as many as 22 points and only trimmed the lead to a respectable margin in garbage time. 

It marked the best game Love has turned in for some time and came on the eve of his return to Minnesota on Saturday. 

Love, who began his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, playing six seasons with the team before an offseason trade to the Cavaliers, battled through knee pain and shot above 50 percent for just the fifth time this month. He nailed a pair of 3-pointers and hauled in 10 rebounds to record his 26th double-double of the season. 

The Cavaliers have taken off since LeBron James returned from a two-week absence, putting together a 9-1 stretch to cut into the Chicago Bulls' lead in the Central Division. Cleveland trailed the Bulls, who were set to visit the Phoenix Suns later Friday night, by two games at the conclusion of the contest. 

James played through a wrist injury, scoring 19 points with seven assists and four steals, while Kyrie Irving - fresh off a career-high 55-point performance - chipped in with 21 and six.

DeMarcus Cousins, who was selected to the All-Star Game as an injury replacement for injured Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, led the Kings with 21 points and 13 rebounds.

Chicago is in the midst of a difficult six-game road trip with contests against the Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Orlando Magic before returning home. 

Cleveland, meanwhile, plays five of its next six games against teams under .500 before a marquee matchup against the Bulls in mid-February. The way the Cavaliers have been playing, there could be a new division leader when the two teams meet for the third time this season.