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Bobcats 86, Cavaliers 80

CLEVELAND -- For whatever reason, the Charlotte Bobcats have the Cleveland Cavaliers' number this season.

The Bobcats have now beaten the Cavs four times this season, including twice in the preseason.

The Bobcats took control of the game in the fourth quarter en route to an 86-80 victory over the Cavaliers on Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cavs were 14-1 lifetime vs. the Bobcats at The Q before Friday's game. The Cavs (3-7) have now lost three in a row, including their first at The Q this season in four tries.

The Bobcats (5-4) were led by forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist's 16 points and eight rebounds.

The Cavs had just three players reach double figures, led by point guard Kyrie Irving's 18 points and 10 assists. It was his second double-double of the season.

Irving was wearing a protective mask after breaking his nose in the Minnesota game on Wednesday. That might have contributed to his poor shooting night from the field (5 of 16).

Cavaliers small forward Earl Clark added a season-high 15 points and five rebounds.

The Cavs were playing without two starters in center Andrew Bynum (personal matter) and shooting guard Dion Waiters (sick).

Guard Ramon Sessions came off the bench for 12 points and seven assists for the Bobcats. Point guard Kemba Walker added 12 points, five rebounds and seven assists.

Cavaliers power forward Tristan Thompson recorded his sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Center Anderson Varejao had a game-high 13 rebounds.

The Bobcats outscored the Cavs in the fourth quarter 29-22.

Forward Anthony Tolliver's 3-pointer with about 10 1/2 minutes remaining handed the Bobcats their first lead 60-58.

The Bobcats embarked on a 21-9 run to take an 11-point lead, 78-67, with 6:53 to play.

Clark, a late addition to the starting lineup at small forward, fired in 10 points in the third quarter. He was 5-for-5 from the field and added five rebounds and a block.

However, the Cavs led by just one point, 58-57, after three quarters.

The Bobcats were shooting just 35.9 percent through three quarters, but had a 40-33 advantage on the boards.

Two late field goals by Thompson handed the Cavs a 37-33 advantage at halftime. He had nine points and seven rebounds at the intermission.

The Cavs were lucky to be in the lead. They shot just 36.6 percent from the field in the first half. The Bobcats, however, shot just 35 percent.

Kidd-Gilchrist had eight points and eight rebounds in the first half. Guard Gerald Henderson also had eight points and four rebounds.

The Cavs assumed an 18-12 lead after the first quarter. It resembled a battle that used to go on in the Zeller family home in Indiana. Older brother Tyler Zeller had five points in the last two minutes of the first quarter. His younger brother, Cody, was scoreless in four minutes.

NOTES: Cavaliers G Kyrie Irving suffered a nasal fracture in Wednesday's game in Minnesota and will be forced to wear a see-through mask for about two weeks. He has a bruise under his right eye. "It hurts pretty bad," Irving said. "The only thing I was worried about was my appearance. I asked our trainer, 'Steve (Spiro), tell me how my nose looks?' He said, 'It looks pretty swollen on the right side.'" ... Cavs G Dion Waiters was held out of Friday's game because he's sick. He had been averaging 16.4 points and shooting 44.3 percent from the field in his previous five games. C.J. Miles made his first start of the season at shooting guard. ... The Cavs had four players on the Eastern Conference All-Star ballot, including Irving, who is hoping to make his second consecutive All-Star appearance. Also on the ballot was PF Tristan Thompson, C Andrew Bynum and C Anderson Varejao. For the Bobcats, G Gerald Henderson and G Kemba Walker were on the ballot, along with C Al Jefferson. ... Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Bynum shows up in Washington on Saturday -- as expected -- he will be in the starting lineup against the Wizards. Bynum missed the last two games dealing with a personal matter. ... Jefferson was held out of Friday's game with a sore right ankle. "When he got off the plane, he had a lot of soreness," Bobcats coach Steve Clifford said. "He didn't take part in our shootaround." Clifford started Bismack Biyombo at center. ... Cavs F Alonzo Gee was replaced in the starting lineup by Earl Clark for Friday night's game.