Cleveland Cavaliers Beat Boston In 1st Preseason Game

CLEVELAND — Life after LeBron James doesn't have to mired in utter misery and haplessness. At least, that's the message after a single preseason basketball game that saw the Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Boston Celtics 102-95.

The new-look Cavaliers have already found two glimmers of hope for their season: the re-emergence of All-Star Kevin Love, and the blossoming game of first round pick Collin Sexton. Love had 17 points on Tuesday, while Sexton pitched in 15 points off-the-bench.

That isn't to say other players didn't make pleasant first half impacts. Rodney Hood and Cedi Osman both showed up, pitching in 10 and 11 points respectively. Osman also had seven rebounds.

Most of Love's minutes came in the first half — it was a preseason game after all. In fact, most of the projected starters only played in the first half.

Head coach Ty Lue appears to be mulling this starting line-up: George Hill, Rodney Hood, Cedi Osman, Love, and Tristan Thompson. Sexton would be coming off the bench, with other reserves Larry Nance Jr., Jordan Clarkson, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, Sam Dekker and Channing Frye.

The decision to start Hill will be a controversial one if it lasts deep into the season. The veteran point guard acquired during the waning days of LeBron's final year has yet to show much of anything on the court. His appearance in Tuesday night's game did nothing to assuage fears he's jumped the shark: he had 0 points but took five shots. He also had 0 assists. Bright side: he did have 4 rebounds.

Sexton meanwhile notched 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting, had 1 assists and 4 rebounds.

Cleveland has three more preseason games left before the real action starts. The team will be back in action Saturday, against Boston again, before playing Indiana on Monday and Detroit on Friday, October 12.

The Cavaliers first regular season game is Wednesday, October 17 against the Toronto Raptors. That game will be played in Toronto.

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Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images