MINNEAPOLIS -- For the second straight game, the Cleveland Cavaliers hung with a superior opponent in the first quarter and were forced to fight their way back the rest of the night because of one lousy quarter, something they can no longer afford. 

Once again, it was the second. 

Shades of Wednesday night in Toronto, the Cavaliers were defenseless as the Minnesota Timberwolves sprinted in front against Cleveland's mostly-unreliable reserves, building the lead to 20 points at one point in the first half before thwarting the Cavs' late comeback attempt. 

Cleveland lost its second straight game, 131-123. 

"We start good every game and then the second quarter costs us too much," Cedi Osman said. " I really enjoy and I can see that everybody enjoys playing with each other.  But the second quarter we have to learn how to play better defense.  We gave up a lot of points in transition.  Those are the small (things), but very important." 

As for that second period, it belonged to the Wolves, as the crowd turned introduction boos for Jimmy Butler into MVP chants.  The home team tallied 71 points in the first half and won that 12-minute stretch, 39-24. 

That was far too deep a hole. 

"Against teams like Toronto and Minnesota, very good teams, you can't dig yourself a hole like that and try to come back," Cavs head coach Tyronn Lue said. " It takes too much.  We talked about it after the game.  Let's start that way.  Let's not dig a hole and then start playing harder and harder once we get behind." 

Not even a 41-point third-quarter outburst was enough for the Cavaliers.  Nor was a strong, gutty fourth quarter with a few timely baskets by rookie Collin Sexton and sophomore core piece Osman, both of whom showed plenty of promise in the second-half rally. 

The Cavaliers' margin for error shrunk significantly in the aftermath of LeBron James' departure.  Without him, the reigning Eastern Conference champions -- in name only -- can no longer rely on talent.  Winning will require attention to detail at both ends of the floor, nonstop communication and a team-first approach. 

It will also require eliminating those runaway quarters. 

Cleveland, as it has preached since training camp, never relented and the Cavs will be able to take some positives away, especially when it comes to the second half. 

Defense won't be one of them.  It remains Cleveland's greatest defect. 

Perhaps when Tristan Thompson proclaimed the Cavaliers a top 10 defense this season he was referring to their ranking in points allowed per game. 

One day after spending a large chunk of the team's film session searching for ways to fix the shoddy defense, the Cavs allowed a whopping 131 points.  They let the Timberwolves shoot 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from 3-point range.  The Wolves raced out to 18 fastbreak points.  They pounded the Cavs in the paint to the tune of 56 points. 

"Our halfcourt defense has been pretty good," Lue said. " I just think it's our transition.  You know we had 27 points in transition in the first half.  You don't want to give that up in two games.  They had it in a half, so, it came off our turnovers, it came off our lack of getting back defensively in the backcourt, so, we just gotta continue to keep getting better at that." 

The offense did its part on Friday night.  The Cavs scored 69 points in a blistering second half.  They shot 48.9 percent from the field overall and assisted on 26 of the 45 made buckets. 

But if the Cavs want to keep fighting for a playoff spot, a stated goal since training camp, the defense will need to come around quickly. 

There are steps every young team must take in order to grow.  For the Cavs, the next is putting together 48 minutes -- at both ends. 

Back at home:

In the building where he became an All-Star, Kevin Love looked like his old self. 

"I think getting his legs underneath him, made some shots, really commanded the ball in the post," Lue said. " Made some good passes.  That's the Kevin we're used to and accustomed to, so we're going to continue to getting his legs and getting his wind and get better." 

Love erupted for 16 of his 25 points in a throwback third quarter, helping pull the Cavs out of a 21-point hole and making the margin manageable.  But Love went silent in the fourth quarter, missing a few chances in the final minutes to put even more pressure on the Wolves. 

Osman's breakout continues:

Osman, the second-year man who is starting in James' old spot, poured in a career-best 22 points to go with eight assists in the loss.  With him initiating from a playmaker spot in ways head coach Tyronn Lue used James, the Cavs picked apart the Wolves' defense. 

"I'm right now full confidence and I believe in my shots," Osman said. " I was working really hard during the summer.  I know before my 3-point shots weren't that good.  But I was working really hard this summer and I know that I improved a lot.  There's always still room to improve a lot for me." 

During Osman's 35 minutes, the Cavs outscored Minnesota by eight points. 

Clarkson provides a lift:

After the bench struggled mightily in the second quarter, a big reason for Friday's loss, Jordan Clarkson did his best to keep the Cavs within striking distance in the final 24 minutes.  Clarkson, who was unstoppable during training camp practices, tallied 19 points on 8-of-14 shooting. 

Sexton bounces back:

Rookies will go through growing pains.  But what the Cavs want to see from Sexton is an ability to have a short memory and rebound quickly. 

"I think Collin grew a little bit tonight, having a chance to play in that fourth quarter," Lue said. 

Sexton scored 14 points and earned crunch-time minutes against the Wolves, relegating starting point guard George Hill to an observer.  Part of it was Sexton's effectiveness.  The other part was getting him that invaluable experience in a high-pressure, tight game in the fourth quarter.  That's what the Cavs envisioned when putting together their anti-tanking plan. 

"Just want to give him an opportunity and tonight he played well," Lue said. " G Hill is a professional so he understands and he was all for it.  Kept talking to Collin every time out, staying with him, being positive, so, we've gotta great group.  They all continue to help each other." 

Even though the Cavs lost the game, it's something Sexton can build upon. 

Up next:

The Cavs will return to Cleveland for the home opener on Sunday against the Atlanta Hawks.