Kevin Love scores 34 of his 40 points in first quarter of Cavs' win
— -- CLEVELAND -- Cavaliers forward Kevin Love set an NBA record for points in a first quarter by scoring 34 on Wednesday night against the? Portland Trail Blazers.
Love fell three points shy of the league record for points in any quarter, set by Golden State Warriors?guard? Klay Thompson, who scored 37 in the third on Jan. 23, 2015.
Love, who established a Cleveland team record for points in any period, made 11 of 14 field goal attempts, including a career-high eight 3-pointers on 10 attempts in the first on Wednesday. He made his first six shots, including five 3-pointers, and was 4-of-4 from the free throw line.
"He beat them by himself," teammate? J.R. Smith?told Fox Sports Ohio at halftime of Cleveland's 137-125 win.?
"To hit shots like that in the first quarter -- never seen it."?
Love missed his only shot in a scoreless second quarter, scored six points in the third and was scoreless again in the fourth. He made 12 of 20 shots, including 8 of 12 3-pointers, and recorded his first 40-point game since April 14, 2014, with Minnesota.
Love's Cavs teammate LeBron James previously held the franchise record for points scored in any quarter with 24, which he did three times. James' career high is 25 in a quarter.
In the first quarter alone on Wednesday, Love matched the most points he has scored in a game since joining Cleveland; he poured in 34 against the Orlando Magic exactly one year ago.
Love's career high is 51 points, which came while playing for the?Timberwolves on March 23, 2012.
Love's previous high in points this season was 27.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.?
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